To this day the #TulsaRaceMassacre death toll remains unknown. In 1999, a white man came forward to say that after the massacre (@ age 10) he saw white men digging trenches & peaked inside crates w/ charred bodies of black men. A dig for truth begins @hrw: https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/07/14/tulsa-searches-mass-graves-1921-race-massacre

In the US' history of racial atrocities, it is not uncommon for there to claims of hidden bodies in mass graves as a result of white mob terror & violence. In Rosewood, FL eyewitness accounts & black descendants reported potential mass graves. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-apr-06-me-goins6-story.html

If bodies are discovered from the #Tulsa mass graves search, recovering, identifying & honoring the human remains will be an important part of black Tulsans' healing journey, but @cityoftulsagov must take addt'l steps to seek justice for survivors & descendants of the massacre.

In a recent @hrw report, we detail the recommendations of the "Tulsa Race Riot Commission" which issued an investigative report into the massacre in 2001. In addition to a memorial for hidden human remains, the Commission recommended #reparations. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/05/29/case-reparations-tulsa-oklahoma

As the centennial approaches, #Tulsa & the state of #Oklahoma need to address the massacre, their failure to account for it, & the impact of subsequent discriminatory policies that continue to harm Tulsa’s black community today as documented in our report: https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/05/29/case-reparations-tulsa-oklahoma

As #Tulsa looks to uncover buried truth, they must also begin plans to direct #reparations payments to the few living survivors & descendants of the #TulsaRaceMassacre & provide targeted investments for the economic & social well-being of black Tulsans. http://www.change.org/tulsareparationsnow