Oklahoma Supreme Court Dismisses Tulsa Race Massacre Survivors' Lawsuit

In June 2024, the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by the last known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, Lessie Benningfield Randle and Viola Fletcher, both over 100 years old. The plaintiffs sought reparations under Oklahoma's public nuisance law, arguing that the massacre's effects continue to impact Tulsa's Black community. The court upheld a previous district court ruling, stating that the grievances, while legitimate, did not fall within the scope of the public nuisance statute.

The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre involved a white mob attacking the prosperous Black neighborhood of Greenwood, known as "Black Wall Street," resulting in the deaths of up to 300 Black residents and the destruction of numerous homes and businesses.

The dismissal of the lawsuit has been reported by multiple reputable sources, including CNN and Politico.

In February 2025, Tulsa's newly elected mayor, Monroe Nichols, the city's first Black mayor, proposed a $100 million private charitable trust aimed at addressing the legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The initiative, described as a "road to repair" rather than reparations, seeks to support descendants through scholarships and housing assistance. The plan does not include direct cash payments, even to the last two known survivors. Nichols emphasized the need to revitalize North Tulsa, with $60 million earmarked for community infrastructure improvements. The trust is expected to gather most of its funding by June 1, 2026.

The dismissal of the lawsuit and the subsequent proposal of the charitable trust highlight the ongoing challenges in addressing historical racial injustices. While the legal route for reparations has faced obstacles, the establishment of the trust represents a proactive approach to support the affected community. However, the absence of direct cash payments to survivors and the reliance on private funding raise questions about the adequacy and sustainability of such measures.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court's decision reflects the limitations of using public nuisance laws to address historical injustices. The court noted that the plaintiffs did not point to any physical injury to property in Greenwood that could be resolved by civil remedy.

The establishment of the charitable trust by Mayor Nichols aligns with a broader national conversation on reparations, as other cities and institutions have taken similar steps. However, the approach of using private funding and focusing on community infrastructure rather than direct compensation may influence future reparations efforts and policies.