Last Surviving Witness to Tulsa Race Massacre Demands Justice Until the End

Hughes Van Ellis, one of the last surviving witnesses to the tragic events of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, passed away on October 9th at the age of 102. Known as "Uncle Red," Ellis played a pivotal role as one of the three lead plaintiffs in a reparations lawsuit against the city of Tulsa, Tulsa County, the state of Oklahoma, and the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. The lawsuit sought to hold the state and city accountable for the devastating aftermath of the Tulsa Race Massacre, which unfolded on the evening of May 31, 1921.

A violent white mob descended upon the Greenwood district, shooting black residents and setting homes, businesses, churches, schools, and a hospital ablaze. Historians estimate that as many as 300 black people were killed, and 10,000 were left homeless. In 2021, at the age of 100, Hughes Van Ellis and two other survivors appeared before the House Judiciary subcommittee to demand reparations for the massacre. Ellis, a World War II veteran, broke into tears as he shared his plea for justice, expressing his disappointment in not receiving justice in his own country despite fighting for the United States overseas.

Ellis had been waiting for justice until the very end. Last week, the Oklahoma legislature heard a panel's call for the state to enact recommendations from the 2001 Tulsa Race Riot Commission, which included reparations for massacre survivors and descendants. However, city officials have ignored these recommendations, even disregarding the commission's suggestion to excavate possible mass graves. The reparations lawsuit sheds light on the involvement of law enforcement in the massacre, as the city police department and county sheriff's office deputized and armed white Tulsans to commit murder, looting, and arson in the Greenwood district.

The State National Guard also participated in these violent acts, targeting black community leaders and victims of the massacre while letting the true perpetrators go free. Ellis's grandnephew, Ike Howard, shared that Ellis had an undying sense of what was right and wrong and wanted justice to be served. He encouraged his family to keep fighting and had unfinished business to accomplish. Ellis's passing leaves two remaining survivors: his 109-year-old sister Viola Fletcher and 108-year-old Lessie Benningfield Randle.

The death of Hughes Van Ellis serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for justice and reparations for the survivors and descendants of the Tulsa Race Massacre. It highlights the need for accountability from the city and state for the tragic events that took place a century ago, ensuring that such atrocities are never forgotten and are properly addressed.