A lawsuit by survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre can proceed, a judge rules

Hughes Van Ellis, 101, foreground left, and Lessie Benningfield Randle, 107, right, survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, outside a courtroom on Monday at the Tulsa County Courthouse, in Tulsa, Okla. (Stephen Pingry / AP)

An Oklahoma judge ruled Monday that a lawsuit seeking reparations for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre can proceed, bringing new hope for some measure of justice for three survivors of the deadly racist rampage who are now over 100 years old and were in the courtroom for the decision.

Tulsa County District Court Judge Caroline Wall ruled against a motion to dismiss the suit filed by civil rights attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons in 2020. The Tulsa-based attorney said after Wall announced her ruling that it is critical for living survivors Lessie Benningfield Randle, 107, Viola Fletcher, 107, and Hughes Van Ellis, 101.