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Honor the Springfield Race Riot Site as a National Monument

On August 14, 1908, Springfield, Illinois, witnessed one of the most violent and tragic race riots in our nation’s history that led to the deaths of nine Black citizens. The riots started when a Black man was wrongly accused, spurring a white mob of 5,000 rioters to attack Black neighborhoods and businesses.

We urge you to call on President Biden to designate the Springfield Race Riot site as a national monument using the Antiquities Act. Help us ensure the history of the Springfield Race Riot is never forgotten.

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

I'm writing to implore you to designate the site of the Springfield Race Riot as a national monument. This site holds a crucial yet often overlooked chapter of our history that deserves recognition and preservation.

The Springfield Race Riot of August 14, 1908, marked a tragic and significant event in our past. Despite its importance, this event has not received the acknowledgment it deserves. You can honor the site using the Antiquities Act, as many presidents have done to protect America's vital cultural and historical places.

The site where the riots and massacre occurred saw the destruction of five homes and the death of nine Black citizens. And it symbolizes a broader story of racial injustice. Designating this historic site as a national monument will protect it in perpetuity and serve as a powerful reminder of our nation's journey toward equality and justice. It will also help honor the diversity of people and cultures that make up the fabric of our country.

Please take this step to ensure that the history of the Springfield Race Riot is never forgotten. Your action today can help future generations understand and learn from this painful part of our past.

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