There’s No Excuse for Blocking the Anti-Lynching Bill – City Watch
SLAVERY POLITICS-Emancipation Day celebrations concluded this weekend, accompanied by significant talk among elected officials about finally recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday.
However, the specter of the stalled federal Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Actshould remind us of the continuing struggle by Black Americans to obtain not only freedom, but also security.
After the Civil War, Black Americans enjoyed a precarious freedom in which extralegal violence was a common problem. For the newly freed, exercising their liberty could bring violent rebuke.
Juneteenth should not only be a commemoration of emancipation, but also a reminder of the work ahead in making the promise of freedom and equality that so many Black Americans fought and died for a reality.
Such was the case in July 1867 when Union War veteran William Obie Evans was lynchedin Delaware. Enslaved near Fredericksburg, Maryland, Evans initially asserted his freedom under the Emancipation Proclamation. Like nearly 180,000 other Black Americans, he later enlisted in the Union Army. He served in the U.S. Colored Troops and on July 30, 1864, was wounded during the Battle of the Crater outside of Petersburg, Virginia.
After mustering out of the service in 1865, Evans faced the same challenge as other Black Union veterans. They awaited payment on enlistment bounties without an immediate means of making a living. Evans travelled to Delaware, where he bartered with a local farmer by putting up his bounty papers in exchange for a cash loan that he would presumably pay off with his labor.
When he later learned that the bounties were being paid, Evans asked the farmer to release him from his bond so that he could claim his bounty and repay the loan. The farmer, however, was more interested in retaining Evanss labor and refused. A few days later, a mysterious fire destroyed one of the farmers barns and outhouses. Although no evidence connected Evans to the fire, suspicion immediately fell on him.
A few nights later, a party of masked men arrived on the farm to mete out their own form of justice. The next day, Evanss body was discovered dangling from the limbs of a willow tree a short distance from the farmers home. Despite his service to the Union Army, Evans was buried in a common grave. A Black woman with whom Evans was familiar was ultimately tried and acquitted for the arson.
Evanss murder predates the thousands of lynchingsthat occurred in the United States between 1882 and 1968 that normally occupy our attention. In a recent study, Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson documentedmore than 2,000 lynchings between 1865 and 1877, underscoring the longer history of such extralegal violence and its impact on Black communities.
Stevensons work demonstrates the importance of examining the long history of racial violence in America. The pain that comes from learning about unpunished and forgotten acts of terror like lynchings can be as impactful as witnessing acts of violence against Black and brown bodies in our own time.
It passed the House of Representatives in February after more than 100 years of efforts by a vote of 410 to 4, only to be obstructed in the U.S. Senate by a single lawmaker, Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul.This work of historical recovery can support activists efforts. In addition to honoring celebrations such as Juneteenth and pushing for police abolition, we must draw on history to push for the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act and demonstrate the necessity for such legislation in its strongest form.
The proposed bill, which would establish lynching as a federal crime, is now stalledin Congress. It passed the House of Representatives in February after more than 100 years of efforts by a vote of 410 to 4, only to be obstructed in the U.S. Senate by a single lawmaker, Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul.
Finding constructive ways to reckon with painful chapters in our history is also a powerful tool for addressing the underlying trauma that informs so many of our discussions of race, violence, and criminal justice in America. It can unite communities in the search for truth and invite conversations about changing values that should inform memorials that decorate the public spaces we share. In either case, historical recovery is a critical step.
Without the knowledge of what came before, it is difficult to assess and address what must be done now to reform and/or eradicate those barriers to equal justice that have allowed stories like William Obie Evanss to be lost. This is exactly why stories, like that of Evans, must be recovered and shared.
Evanss lynching is not currently recognized as an act of racial violence in Delaware. This means the state also does not formally acknowledge the murder of a veteran as a wrongdoing.
Let that sink in.
Juneteenth should not only be a commemoration of emancipation, but also a reminder of the work ahead in making the promise of freedom and equality that so many Black Americans fought and died for a reality -- which includes the passage of legislation like the proposed anti-lynching bill.
(Yohuru Williams is an education activist and professor of history at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. He is the author, editor,or co-editor of several books, including Black Politics/White Power: Civil Rights Black Power and Black Panthers in New Haven (Blackwell,2006), Teaching Beyond the Textbook: Six Investigative Strategies (Corwin Press, 2008), and Liberated Territory: Toward a Local Historyof the Black Panther Party (Duke, 2008). He also served as general editor for the Association for the Study of African American Life andHistorys 2002 and 2003 Black History Month publications, The Color Line Revisited (Tapestry Press, 2002) and The Souls of Black Folks:Centennial Reflections (Africa World Press, 2003).
Savannah Shepherd is the founder of the Delaware Social Justice Remembrance Coalition which works to discover and memorialize victims of racial violence in the state. She's a graduate of Sanford School and will attend Swarthmore College in fall 2020.) This piece appeared in Common Dreams. Photo: Photo: Ron Cogswell/flickr/cc. Prepped for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.
Read more here:
There's No Excuse for Blocking the Anti-Lynching Bill - City Watch
- Sen. Rand Paul says he isn't really 'optimistic' Congress will 'grow a spine' - Fox Business - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Rand Paul and House Freedom Caucus made budget bill better - Washington Examiner - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Rand Paul, thank you for standing up to Trump. Will you go one step further? | Letter - The Courier-Journal - July 10th, 2025 [July 10th, 2025]
- Fox News Host Confronts Rand Paul Over Leaked Intel - MSN - July 6th, 2025 [July 6th, 2025]
- Rand Paul rails against big, beautiful bill negotiations after all-night vote-a-rama - The Hill - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Lisa Murkowski Defends Alaska Carveouts As Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders And Rand Paul Condemn Trump's 'Big Beautiful' Bill: 'Not Good Enough For... - July 2nd, 2025 [July 2nd, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul refuses to back budget bill due to added debt - Fox News - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Rand Paul questions whether Trump's Iran attack was a good idea: 'Critics are loving it' - Fox Business - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul on passing spending bill: 'Both parties are to blame for this' - Yahoo - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Video Sen. Rand Paul on passing spending bill: 'Both parties are to blame for this' - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Laughs at Fox Host Asking If Trump Iran Strikes Are a Win: The Bushes Are H ... - Mediaite - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul promotes bill aimed at protecting the NCAA from anti-trust liability - Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW) - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Most Republicans Say the Border Wall is Worth the Cost. Rand Paul Isnt so Sure. - NOTUS - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Rand Paul broke with his own party on border security funding. Then his party broke with him. - Politico - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Dr. Rand Paul to Host 2025 Fall Service Academy Information Fair for Kentucky Students - Senator Rand Paul (.gov) - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Dr. Rand Paul Introduces the Restore Prescription Drugs Discount Act - Senator Rand Paul (.gov) - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Dr. Rand Paul Introduces End the Feds Big Bank Bailout Act - Senator Rand Paul (.gov) - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Rand Paul forces GOP into megabill runaround - Politico - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Rand Paul floats idea for separate vote on debt ceiling: 'Let the Democrats own it' - Fox Business - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Senator Rand Paul Objects to Using the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism in Federal Antidiscrimination Law - Boulder Jewish News - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Rand Paul says hed be willing to negotiate on megabill support - Politico - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul not an 'absolute no' on spending bill, reveals what would make him say 'yes' - Fox News - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Rand Paul: Ive never liked the idea of Trump Army parade - The Hill - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- After Musk, Stephen Miller now gets into a fight with Rand Paul the real reason behind the clash - The Economic Times - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Rand Paul says he'd be willing to negotiate on megabill support - Yahoo News - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- GOP Sen. Rand Paul Says He Won't Be 'The Deciding Vote' On Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill': 'They'll Negotiate With Me' - Latin Times - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- GOP Sen. Rand Paul Shifts Tone On Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' Says He's 'Not An Absolute No' - Latin Times - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Rand Paul on Reconciliation Bill: GOP will own the debt - WAAY 31 News - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul: I can't support a bill with the largest debt increase in US history - USA Today - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Rand Paul will oppose Trump budget bill, but he helped nearly double US debt | Letter - The Courier-Journal - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Is Right About the Debt - The Daily Signal - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Elon Musk and Rand Paul appear to join forces against Trump and the big, beautiful bill - AOL.com - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Offers Trump an Offramp As War Against His Opposite of Conservative Budget Bill Es ... - Mediaite - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Rand Paul: I can't support a bill with the largest debt increase in US history | Opinion - The Courier-Journal - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Elon Musk and Rand Paul appear to join forces against Trump and the big, beautiful bill - The Independent - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Elon Musk and Rand Paul are right. The Big Beautiful Bill is just a bloated mess. - Orange County Register - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Trump Seethes Over Rand Paul Continuing To Oppose 'Big, Beautiful Bill' - Yahoo - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul visiting Somerset & London today to get update on tornado recovery efforts - WKYT - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Trump blasts Rand Paul over big, beautiful bill - Washington Examiner - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Trumps criticism of Rand Paul is wrong and misguided - Washington Examiner - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Trump lashes out at Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to big tax bill - Forward Kentucky - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Rand Paul will oppose Trump budget bill, but he helped nearly double US debt | Letter - Yahoo - June 7th, 2025 [June 7th, 2025]
- Trump slams GOP Sen. Rand Paul for opposing 'big, beautiful bill' due to $5 trillion debt ceiling hike - CNBC - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump criticizes Rand Paul over tax bill opposition: 'Votes no on everything' - Fox News - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump lashes out at Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to big tax bill - USA Today - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- President Donald Trump attacks Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to tax bill - Spectrum News - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Senator Rand Paul: 'FEMA has a role' - LEX18 - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump slams Sen. Rand Paul's opposition to his "Big Beautiful Bill": 'Actually crazy' - FOX 32 Chicago - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Rand Paul says he would support 'big, beautiful bill' if debt ceiling hike removed - Fox News - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump warns Rand Paul he's playing into 'hands of the Democrats' with 'Big, Beautiful Bill' opposition - Fox News - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul: This part of Trumps bill gives me heartburn - CNN - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- It's Rand Paul and Elon Musk vs. Donald Trump Over the 'Big Beautiful Bill' - Reason Magazine - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Thinks There Are Enough GOP Senators to Block Trump Budget Bill - Newsweek - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump Seethes Over Rand Paul Continuing To Oppose 'Big, Beautiful Bill' - HuffPost - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul warns Trump tax bill will lead to more deficits: 'Irresponsible' - Fox Business - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump Goes Scorched-Earth on Rand Paul in Budget Fight - The New York Sun - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump Blasts Rand Paul as Crazy for Resisting GOP Tax Cut Bill - Bloomberg Government News - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump Puts Rand Paul On Blast Over Big, Beautiful Bill - The Daily Wire - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul on Musk criticism of BBB - WFLA - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump ramps up criticism of GOP Sen. Rand Paul amid push to pass funding bill - Yahoo - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Is Right About the Debt, by Terence P. Jeffrey - Creators Syndicate - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Senator Rand Paul speaks on tariffs, tax bill in Iowa visit - KCRG - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump Absolutely Torches Rand Paul for Opposing His Big, Beautiful Bill: People of Ke ... - Mediaite - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- President Trump savages Sen. Rand Paul over opposition to 'big beautiful bill' - Washington Times - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump warns Rand Paul against opposition to big, beautiful bill - MSN - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Rand Paul says Trump is 'upsetting the apple cart' as judges halt his executive orders - The Des Moines Register - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Rand Paul says he's still a no vote on Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act - Fox News - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Trump double-taps Rand Paul over the Big Ugly Bill - Daily Kos - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul says what it will take to get him to vote in favor of Trump's "big, beautiful bill" - Fox News - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Fires Back After Trumps Brutal Attack: Kentuckians Sent Me Here to Fight Reckless ... - Mediaite - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- Sen. Rand Paul visits London and Somerset speaking about recovery efforts - WTVQ - June 4th, 2025 [June 4th, 2025]
- SEN. RAND PAUL: Kennedy is confronting 'corrupt' health agencies to Make America Healthy Again - Fox News - May 28th, 2025 [May 28th, 2025]
- Live updates: Rand Paul says cuts in House version of Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' are 'anemic' - The Hill - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Speaker Johnson clashes with Rand Paul over 'wimpy' spending cuts in Trump's bill - Fox News - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Rand Paul Says He Admires Trump, Despite Anger Over 'Big Beautiful Bill' - Newsweek - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Rand Paul: Cuts in big, beautiful bill are wimpy, anemic and would explode the debt - Yahoo - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Rand Paul rips 'big beautiful bill' for 'wimpy and anemic' spending cuts - Fox News - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Mike Johnson and Rand Paul Clash Over Budget Bill - The American Conservative - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Rand Paul: Cuts in big, beautiful bill are wimpy, anemic and would explode the debt - The Hill - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]
- Live updates: Rand Paul says cuts in House version of Trumps big, beautiful bill are anemic - Yahoo - May 26th, 2025 [May 26th, 2025]