On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, President Joe Biden visited the Greenwood District in Tulsa commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. President Biden issued a proclamation in remembrance of the race massacre. President Biden reflected on the horrors of the day 100 years ago and proclaimed May 31 a “Day of Remembrance: 100 years after the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.”
In the proclamation, President Biden stated, “I call upon the people of the United States to commemorate the tremendous loss of life and security that occurred over those two days in 1921, to celebrate the bravery and resilience of those who survived and sought to rebuild their lives again, and commit together to eradicate systemic racism and help to rebuild communities and lives that have been destroyed by it.” The President called upon Americans to remember and continue to work to end racism.
Exactly 100 years ago on May 31, 1921, a white mob came together for what would be one of history's worst massacres. Twenty four hours of killing black Tulsans, burning down homes and almost completely destroying the entire Greenwood community. Thirty five blocks of Greenwood were burned to the ground. More than 800 people were injured and some believe as many as 300 people were killed but the exact number is still not known to this day. The Tulsa Race Massacre is known as one of the biggest acts of racial terrorism in the country, but not one person who committed this violence and murders have ever been identified or punished for their actions.
President Biden arrived in Tulsa around one p.m. Tuesday, on the presidential lane, Air orce One. He visited the Greenwood Cultural Center, speaking with the three survivors of the massacre and their families. One survivor is 107 years old and another is 103. The President then gave a speech at the center before boarding to return to Washington.