Permanent Memorial Planned For 1919 Race Riots: Lightfoot

Cover Image
Photo credit July 1919: National Guardsmen are called out to quell race riots in Chicago. (Photo by Jun Fujita/Getty Images)

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Mayor Lori Lightfoot suggests Chicago will have a new permanent and prominent memorial to the city’s 1919 race riot, which occurred 100 years ago.

At the city’s official commemoration on Monday, Lightfoot hosted remembrances of what was called Chicago’s “Red Summer.” More than three dozen people were killed in racial violence.

It’s a little-discussed part of the city’s history, but no more, she said.She said city government is working with Danielle Tillman of BKL Architects to create a structure that will memorialize the event.

Chicago Public Schools will create a resource guide to keep this history alive, too, Lightfoot said. The hope is that the city can avoid repeating it and move forward.

As part of her “Our Past is our Present” talks of the continuing effects of the 1919 Race Riots. “If we are ever going to move forward, we must keep these events alive!” ⁦@WBBMNewsradio⁩ pic.twitter.com/6qJcsWpNwX

— Craig Dellimore (@CraigDellimore) July 29, 2019