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The History of Lynchings in Salisbury, England
Following continued pressure from local activists, the Salisbury City Council in England officially approved a resolution on Monday, apologizing for racial violence that occurred in the city’s past. Resolution 3333, passed unanimously, aimed to acknowledge the lynchings that took place in Salisbury and offer a formal apology to the families and descendants of the victims.
Details of the Lynchings in Salisbury
In a tragic incident on May 31, 1898, a white mob of over a hundred individuals broke into the county jail in Salisbury and kidnapped an 18-year-old black male named Garfield King. King, who was accused of murdering a white man, was taken to the Wicomico County courthouse lawn, where he was hung from a tree and reportedly shot 50 times. Despite the heinous act, no one was ever officially identified as part of the mob.
Another shocking incident occurred on December 4, 1931, when a white mob numbering from several hundred to upwards of a thousand people kidnapped a 23-year-old Black male named Matthew Williams from the negro ward at Peninsula General Hospital. Williams, accused of murdering his employer, was subjected to the same fate as King.
Consequences of Racial Violence
Some of those later identified as culprits behind the violence were former Fire Chief Frederick Grier, Jr, who took the rope for the lynching from the former firehouse building, and former Police Chief Nicholas H. Holland, who helped lead the mob from the hospital to the courthouse. The aftermath of the racial terror lynchings also led to the death of an unknown middle-aged black male, presumably by members of the same white mob.
Reactions to the Apology
Monica Brooks, president of the Wicomico County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, expressed that the resolution was long overdue. She emphasized the need for genuine conversations about racial issues that persist in the community. Brooks highlighted the impact of racial terror lynchings on economic opportunities, fairness, and equity for the Black community.
James Yamakawa, a board member of the Truth and Reconciliation Initiative, believed the resolution fell short as it did not address the accountability of city entities for their participation in the crimes. He stressed the importance of acknowledging the entire black community affected by the racial violence.
Moving Forward as a City
The journey to Resolution 3333 began with unanimous approval from the Truth, Racial, Unity, Transformation, & Healing Committee. City officials emphasized the need to acknowledge racial injustice to heal from past wounds and build respectful relationships across racial and ethnic lines. Council President D’Shawn Doughty highlighted the importance of community involvement in the process and acknowledged the city’s efforts to educate the public about its past.
While the resolution marks a significant step towards reconciliation, there is still work to be done to address systemic issues and promote diversity and equity in Salisbury, England.
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