Bill > HJR1552

This joint resolution commemorates the 160th anniversary of the Memphis Massacre of 1866, a tragic event during the Reconstruction era following the Civil War when a white mob attacked Black residents, resulting in numerous deaths, injuries, and destruction of property. The resolution acknowledges that this massacre, which targeted formerly enslaved persons and Union veterans, underscored the vulnerability of newly freed citizens and contributed to national discussions leading to the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law. It highlights that those responsible were not held accountable and that such racial violence continued, emphasizing the importance of remembering this history to understand the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality, and to reaffirm a commitment to equal protection, justice, and opportunity for all citizens.