Oklahoma Supreme Court dismisses reparations lawsuit for Tulsa Race Massacre survivors

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has made a decision regarding the lawsuit seeking reparations for two survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The highest court dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the plaintiff's grievances, while legitimate, did not fall within the scope of the state's public nuisance statute. The ruling also stated that the plaintiff's allegations did not sufficiently support a claim for unjust enrichment.

In response to the court's decision, the city of Tulsa expressed respect for the ruling and affirmed its commitment to the North Tulsa and Greenwood communities. The city highlighted its ongoing work in economic development, policy projects, and community vision, including the 1921 Graves Investigation and the Greenwood Master Plan. Tulsa remains dedicated to collaborating with residents and providing resources to support these communities.

Historical Background

The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, which occurred on May 31 and June 1, involved a white mob looting and burning the once-thriving Black district known as Greenwood, often referred to as Black Wall Street. This violent event resulted in the loss of more than 300 Black lives and the destruction of prosperous Black-owned businesses, creating long-lasting racial and economic disparities.

Lawsuit's Objectives

The lawsuit, initiated in 2020 by survivors Lessie Benningfield Randle and Viola Fletcher, aimed to seek reparations for the destruction of Greenwood. It called for a detailed accounting of the property and wealth lost or stolen during the massacre, the construction of a hospital in north Tulsa, and the establishment of a victims' compensation fund, among other measures.

Despite the dismissal of the lawsuit, advocates for racial justice continue to press for acknowledgment of the lasting impact of the Tulsa Race Massacre and efforts to address the resulting disparities. The survivors, Randle and Fletcher, both over 100 years old, have been at the forefront of seeking recognition and reparations for the tragic events they experienced firsthand.