TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A memorial service was held on Tuesday at Oaklawn Cemetery in Tulsa to honor a World War I veteran, C.L. Daniel, whose remains were identified earlier this year as part of an investigation into the tragic events of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Daniel is recognized as the first victim of the massacre to be identified from remains found in a mass grave in Tulsa. At the cemetery, a gravestone with his name has been placed, accompanied by a monument dedicated to other victims of this horrific event.
Over the course of May 31 and June 1, 1921, a violent mob composed of white residents looted and set fire to Greenwood, a vibrant Black community in Tulsa. This incident stands as one of the most devastating acts of racial violence in U.S. history. It is estimated that up to 300 Black individuals lost their lives, while more than 1,200 properties, including homes, businesses, schools, and churches, were obliterated. Additionally, thousands were forcibly relocated to internment camps supervised by the National Guard.
“Today signifies much more than a tribute to C.L. Daniel and those who remain in unmarked graves,” stated Daniel’s family. “It is a long-awaited recognition of the lives forever altered by the massacre and serves as a testament to the unwavering spirit of the Greenwood community, which has tirelessly sought justice and acknowledgment for their loved ones throughout the decades.”
City officials continue to conduct genetic and DNA testing to identify more individuals whose remains have been located during the search for victims of the massacre.
In September, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it is initiating a civil rights investigation into the massacre. The agency intends to release a public report detailing its findings by the end of the year.
