URBAN LEAGUE APPLAUDS THE DESIGNATION OF THE 1908 SPRINGFIELD RACE RIOT SITE AS A NATIONAL MONUMENT

Springfield, IL – The Springfield Urban League, Inc., commends President Joe Biden's historic decision to designate the site of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot as a national monument. This recognition, made possible through the Antiquities Act, honors the lives lost during the riot and acknowledges its profound impact on Springfield and the nation. We are also so profoundly grateful for Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, Congressman Darin LaHood, Senators Dick Durbin, Doris Turner, and Tammy Duckworth, the Springfield Branch of the NAACP who have been the steady heartbeat behind this project, and all of the community members and leaders who have stood for those who died for justice.

“The designation of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot site as a national monument is a powerful testament to the resilience of Black Americans and the enduring struggle for civil rights,” said Marcus Johnson, President & CEO of the Springfield Urban League. “This monument is not merely a memorial to the past but a beacon of hope and a call to action. It underscores the importance of confronting our history, however painful, to ensure a more just and inclusive future.”

The Springfield Urban League views this monument as a critical step in fostering community pride and advancing the dialogue on racial and ethnic equality. “This monument will serve as a constant reminder of the progress we've made and the work that still lies ahead,” Johnson continued. “It is a rallying point for our community to engage in the tough, but necessary, conversations that will shape the future of race relations in Springfield and beyond.”

As Springfield, often celebrated as the home of Abraham Lincoln, gains new historical significance with this designation, the Urban League remains committed to its mission of empowering the community. “We stand ready to continue our work, inspired by this national recognition, to uplift and support the stories, sacrifices, and resilience of those impacted by the 1908 race riot,” Johnson stated.

Earlier this year, the Springfield Urban League was honored with the East Central Cultural District designation by Governor JB Pritzker. We are thrilled to see the 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument become a reality as a central feature of this district. This monument will not only highlight the progress we’ve made but also ensure that the powerful story of resilience and the ongoing fight for justice is told for generations to come.