Representatives with Justice for Greenwood said the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre survivors and descendants deserve justice through a new plan.

Supporters of Project Greenwood said it’s the City’s chance to take something wrong and make it right.

After the Department of Justice rejected to investigate the Tulsa Race massacre back in October, Damario Solomon-Simmons said he switched to his contingency plan to support Tulsa Race Massacre survivors and descendants. Project Greenwood is that plan.

“This is a plan I’m excited that we have shared with the City, with our new mayor and he’s expressed support for aspects of our particular plan,” Solomon-Simmons said.

He said Project Greenwood helps repair the harm caused by the state-sanctioned destruction of the Historic Greenwood District, also known as Black Wall Street.

“We need a hospital, we need doctors, we need lawyers. The business funds from Project Greenwood will help those things and make it possible,” said Jackie Emerson Weary, Tulsa Race Massacre descendant.

Included in the plan is a victim compensation fund, descendent scholarship program, surviving entity grant program and descendent employment preference program where the City of Tulsa would provide employment preference to verified descendants of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Solomon-Simmons also proposes in the plan survivors and descendants’ immunity from all City of Tulsa taxes, fees, assessments and utility costs.

“It’s a comprehensive plan to not only restore Greenwood but to move this City forward,” Solomon-Simmons said.

But one thing he said should be done immediately is declaring June 1 as an official City of Tulsa holiday.

The two remaining Tulsa Race Massacre survivors are both 110 years old, Viola Fletcher and Lessie Benningfield Randle.

“This is the opportunity to give them their flowers while they’re still here,” said LaDonna Penny, Tulsa Race Massacre descendant.

They continue to pursue reparations after the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed their case.

“It would be one of the worst tragedies in the history of this country, let alone the city, for these two 110-year-old women to pass away without justice that they so rightly deserve,” Solomon-Simmons said.

Solomon-Simmons said the estimated number of registered Tulsa Race Massacre descendants is 200, but he believes there are more out there to be verified.

“This is not about race. This is about being human. This is about upholding what it means to be an American, that promise that we have struggled to live up to,” said Tyrance Billingsley, Tulsa Race Massacre descendant.

There’s a petition to stand with Tulsa Race Massacre survivors and descendants, which can be found by clicking here.

Through Justice for Greenwood’s Legacy Fund, nearly $500,000 has been invested in Greenwood survivors, descendants, houses of worship, and north Tulsa schools.