The Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit by survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, dealing a blow to advocates seeking financial reparations for one of the most violent acts against Black people in U.S. history. The court upheld a previous ruling, stating that the plaintiffs' grievances did not fall under the state's public nuisance statute.
The court emphasized that while the destruction of the Greenwood district was acknowledged, it did not meet the criteria for relief under civil remedies. The decision stated that no physical injury rendering the area uninhabitable was presented by the plaintiffs.
The survivors' attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The city expressed respect for the court's decision and highlighted its ongoing efforts to support the North Tulsa and Greenwood communities.
The lawsuit aimed to hold the city of Tulsa accountable for the destruction of the prosperous Black district by a white mob in 1921. The violence resulted in the deaths of up to 300 Black Tulsans and forced survivors into internment camps.
The two remaining survivors, both over 100 years old, filed the lawsuit in 2020 in hopes of achieving justice in their lifetimes. The court also dismissed claims of unjust enrichment, stating they were typically limited to contractual relationships.
Additional defendants in the case included the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Tulsa County Commissioners, the Tulsa County Sheriff, and the Oklahoma Military Department.
The lawsuit argued that the racial tensions and disparities in Tulsa today stem from the massacre, which was never compensated by the city or insurance companies. It sought a detailed account of lost property and wealth, the construction of a hospital in north Tulsa, and a victims compensation fund.
Public nuisance claims, typically used for local issues like blight or illegal activities, were invoked in this case to address the ongoing impact of the massacre. While such claims have led to settlements in the past, the Oklahoma Supreme Court overturned a similar decision involving opioid drug maker Johnson & Johnson in 2019.
