TULSA, Okla. —The last two survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre are set to appear in court on Tuesday to continue to make their case for reparations.
Mother Lessie Benningfield Randle and Mother Viola Ford Fletcher, both 109 years old, will be at the State Supreme Court more than 100 years after the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Randle and Fletcher are suing the City of Tulsa for reparations saying the massacre violated public nuisance laws.
The survivors’ legal team said this could be the last court hearing regarding the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Because of the age of Randle and Fletcher, many are saying this is a make-or-break hearing if the two are ever going to get reparations while they are alive.
Eric Miller, who works on their legal team, told FOX23 they will both be at the Oklahoma Supreme Court to hear the arguments in their case.
“Miss Randall, who is now 109 years old, was saying just yesterday that she wants to keep going because she wants to see justice in this case. It’s remarkable to have these two survivors show up in court at the age of 109 seeking justice for their case,” Miller said.
It’s now more than 100 years since the race massacre when a mob attacked the Greenwood District and burnt businesses and homes to the ground.
It’s estimated that hundreds of people were killed.
The case is asking not for reparations in money, but reparations over property.
The court won’t decide if those reparations will be paid, but if a trial seeking reparations from the City of Tulsa can go forward.
“Black Wall Street is a major point of pride, but also for the Black community, but also shame for the national American community. It’s long past time that the City of Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma stepped up, acknowledged what it owes to the survivors and the descendants and made this right,” Miller said.
Miller said it’s time for Randle and Fletcher to see justice.
“The longer the case goes on, the less likely it is that Mother Fletcher and Mother Randall are going to see justice. We are hoping that the supreme court, in hearing these arguments, will return their opinion as soon as possible so we can get back down in the supreme court and keep litigating to make sure that Mother Fletcher and Mother Randall do see justice before it’s too late,” Miller said.
The arguments are set for 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the State Supreme Court Chambers.