TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Justice for victims, survivors, and descendants of one of the worst racial incidents in US history.
The latest in a lawsuit against the institutions that were directly involved with the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
On Tuesday the Oklahoma Supreme Court heard oral arguments for a case to appeal a judge’s decision to not let survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre proceed with their case against those responsible.
“It is the hearing at the Supreme Court, Oklahoma Supreme Court, for the last two survivors in their court case for them to be able to make their argument for reparations,” said Kode Ransom, Co-Owner of the Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge.
The two last known living survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre are carrying on in their lawsuit against the City of Tulsa and other institutions that played a direct role in this massacre.
“This is pretty much the last step in being able to prove or proceed and prove our case,” said Dr. Tiffany Crutcher, a founding Board Member of Justice for Greenwood.
Dr. Crutcher says this lawsuit is not new.
“It’s been four years since we filed our case, the public nuisance case for the historic Greenwood Black Wall Street community,” said Crutcher.
She says the last time they met in state court, Judge Walls went back on her decision to allow them to proceed with the lawsuit.
“It was gut wrenching. It was a tough pill to swallow,” said Dr. Crutcher.
She says they appealed their decision and the Oklahoma Supreme Court decided to retain the case.
“And here we are,” said Dr. Crutcher.
Dr. Crutcher says she is hopeful.
“We believe that we’ll be able to overcome these hurdles that keep communities marginalized and oppressed yet again,” said Dr. Crutcher.
In Tulsa, there were several watch parties where people could watch the hearing in hopes for accountability.
“Hopefully the beginning of justice,” said Ransom.
Oral arguments have ended, and Justice for Greenwood says they’re waiting for a decision which could come any day.