Better Over 100 Years Late Than Never

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed HB 307 into law on April 8 of 2019, creating America’s first statewide truth commission devoted to investigating racial terror lynchings and addressing the legacy it has left in the country. The bill received bipartisan support in the house, passing the state senate with a unanimous vote.

The HB 307 act acknowledges the roughly 40 African Americans who were lynched in Maryland between 1854 and 1933 and establishes the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Because no one was ever tried, convicted, or otherwise brought to justice for their participation in these racially motivated lynchings, the Commission aims to provide the victim's family and community with a formal apology and a platform to share their stories.

The first public meeting of the new Maryland Lynching Truth & Reconciliation Commission will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 7:00 pm at the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Civil rights attorney, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and author of On the Courthouse Lawn, Sherrilyn Ifill, will address the meeting.

The Maryland Lynching Memorial Project website states that the initial meeting will serve to introduce the Commission to the public, review the history of lynching in Maryland, explain why the Commission is necessary and provide an opportunity for interested citizens to offer input that will help influence the work of the Commission.

Admission to the meeting is free, but tickets are required and can be reserved by visiting https://www.mdlynchingmemorial.org/.