Join the 13th Amendment Freedom Week Movement as we commemorate the Tulsa Riot Massacre of 1921, the East St. Louis Riot of 1917, the New York Riot during the Civil War, and the Rosewood Massacre.
During the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, the Democratic Party held power in both Oklahoma and Tulsa. At the national level, the presidency was controlled by the Republican Party under Warren G. Harding. In Oklahoma, Governor James B. A. Robertson, a Democrat, oversaw the massacre, while Tulsa’s mayor, T. D. Evans, also a Democrat, failed to protect Black residents during the violence.
The early 20th century was marked by racial segregation and the presence of the Ku Klux Klan in Oklahoma, contributing to the Democratic Party’s support for segregationist policies. After the massacre, local and state leaders largely evaded accountability, and many Black residents were blamed for the violence.
Key political figures included:
- Governor James B. A. Robertson (Democrat): Deployed the National Guard, which disarmed Black residents instead of protecting them.
- Mayor T. D. Evans (Democrat): Declared martial law but did not protect the Black community and was linked to white supremacist groups.
- Sheriff William McCullough: Tried to protect the Black man whose arrest sparked the riot but failed to prevent the violence.
- Chief of Police John A. Gustafson: Criticized for failing to protect Black residents and allegedly deputizing white civilians involved in the attacks.
Following the massacre, no perpetrators were prosecuted, and Black residents faced obstacles in rebuilding their community, leading to a legacy of injustice and ongoing calls for reparations.
East St. Louis Riots (1917)
The East St. Louis riots occurred in July 1917 amid racial tensions from labor competition due to the Great Migration. At the federal level, President Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) led an administration criticized for its response to racial violence. The Illinois governor was Republican Frank O. Lowden, who condemned the violence and sent the National Guard, but the local government was controlled by Democrats, whose inaction allowed the riots to escalate.
New York City Draft Riots (1863)
The New York City Draft Riots occurred in July 1863, driven by opposition to the federal draft and racial tensions. The local political power was dominated by the Democratic Party, particularly through Tammany Hall. While Mayor George Opdyke (Republican) sought to maintain order, Tammany Hall’s leaders, aligned with anti-draft sentiments, failed to control the violence.
Rosewood Massacre (1923)
The Rosewood Massacre in January 1923 took place during a period when the Republican Party was in power nationally under President Warren G. Harding. However, Florida politics were dominated by the Democratic Party, which upheld segregationist policies and often facilitated racial violence against African Americans.
13th Amendment, Freedom Week Movement, Tulsa Riot Massacre, East St. Louis Riot, New York Civil War Riot, Rosewood Massacre, African American history, civil rights, historical remembrance, social justice
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