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Urge President Biden to Designate the Springfield Race Riot Site as a National Monument

On August 14, 1908, one of the most violent race riots in our country’s history happened in Springfield, Illinois. The riots started when an innocent Black man was wrongly accused of rape, leading to a white mob of 5,000 rioters attacking Black neighborhoods and businesses, killing nine Black citizens.

The terror and trauma of these attacks spurred long-lasting effects on generations of Black residents in Springfield and beyond. Despite this, the story of the riots has often been overlooked in our country’s history. It is well past time that this history be told.

With the use of the Antiquities Act, President Biden can protect this place of historical and cultural significance. The proposed Springfield Race Riot National Monument would ensure the site where five houses burned down is recognized and remembered for generations to come.

Please urge President Biden to designate this historic and cultural site as a national monument today.

Our nation’s parks and monuments should reflect all the people of America. But, fewer than a fourth of our national parks and monuments are dedicated to telling the history of marginalized and underrepresented communities.

Springfield Race Riot National Monument will stand as a symbol to Americans everywhere that our nation’s parks can reflect all the people of this country, and ensure that this story is never forgotten.

Please help ensure the Springfield Race Riot site is protected now and for generations to come: send your letter to President Biden today!

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RE: Designate the site of the Springfield Race Riot as a national monument

To [Decision Maker],

As an avid supporter of public lands, I urge you to designate the site of the Springfield Race Riot as a national monument. Presidents from both sides of the aisle have used the Antiquities Act to protect hundreds of millions of acres of America's most significant cultural and historic lands, and it is past time that the site of the Springfield Race Riot is among them.

The riots and massacre that took place in Springfield, Illinois, on August 14, 1908, has often been overlooked in our country's history. Designating the site of the Springfield Race Riot as a national monument will protect the site where five homes were burned to the ground. It will also help to honor the diversity of people and cultures in our country.

Please ensure the history of this tragic event is never lost by designating the site of the Springfield Race Riot as a national monument today.

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