Rep. Davis Announces Beginning of Process of Formulating Anti-Lynching Legislation

At least 4,075 Blacks and some white sympathizers were lynched up until the 1981 death of Michael Donald, the last recorded lynching in the U.S. Davis stated: "During 1919 in Arkansas there were race riots near Elaine, Ark because Black farmers were attempting to organize to get better prices for their crops. More than 200 were killed during this period of unrest and upheaval where bands of whites would just ride in on some Black people ... This business of lynching is seriously etched in the history, evolution and development of this country. Representative Rush and I, along with other Members of Congress and activists will be formulating legislation to make sure that history and its deep impact on the social and economic structure of our nation captures the hearts and minds of the people.”