OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — An ongoing review and evaluation of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by the federal government is facing some doubts with a hopeful completion deadline just days away.
The 1921 probe was announced at the end of September by U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. Clarke noted at the time the Department of Justice (DOJ) was examining available documents, witness accounts, scholarly and historical research, and other information about the massacre.
During the announcement, Clarke noted the DOJ hoped to have the overall review finalized by the end of the year and that a report would follow. Clarke said the report would analyze the massacre in light of both modern and then-existing civil rights law.
The lead attorney representing the Tulsa Race Massacre survivors, Damario Solomon-Simmons, held a press conference in October following a visit to Tulsa by DOJ investigators. Solomon-Simmons noted that investigators conducted interviews and were shown around Greenwood.
"We desperately needed this federal lifeline amidst the state and city's ongoing efforts to gaslight us into our graves," said Solomon-Simmons at the time.
Since then, other than a letter penned by the Solomon-Simmons legal firm in November expressing a slew of concerns, there's been no public update from the DOJ on the status of the review and if it's still aimed to wrap up before 2025.
News 4 reached out to the DOJ in October and December for comment on the review, but hasn't heard back regarding either request.
"Taking up this probe, getting people's hopes up and not following through with any tangible action would be a death blow," said Deon Osborne, managing editor of the Black Wall Street Times. "Not only to the hopes and aspirations of this community but other Black communities who've suffered at the hands of the state who are simply asking to be treated equally under the law."
Osborne was in Tulsa in 2021 for the massacre's centennial and President Joe Biden's visit to Tulsa. That visit followed a lawsuit in district court filed by the survivors for reparations that went all the way to Oklahoma's Supreme Court. One Justice even acknowledged the historical impact of the case, noting that it would be remembered in the history books.
Osborne says the federal probe appeared to be a hopeful next step, but the community members he's spoken with are concerned about why there's been very little communicated.
"With Christmas having passed and still no update on the release of that report, it's really left the community wondering, you know, what's going to happen, if the report comes out at all," said Osborne.
The letter from the Solomon-Simmons firm expresses concerns, specifically accusing the DOJ of failing to transcribe or record witness interviews, exploring all possible leads, and accusing the department of ignoring information pertaining to recently discovered mass grave sites. It also expresses worry that changing federal administrations in January could lead to prospective policy shifts, making the odds of another probe or full-blown investigation highly unlikely.
"It's pretty unanimous among Greenwood supporters of this review that if action isn't taken before Trump takes office, there won't be any action taken, you know," said Osborne.
