DAY OF REMEMBRANCE 2022
COMMEMORATE
IDA B. WELLS
Saturday, November 5th, 2022 was marked as a Day of Remembrance for victims of racial terror lynching in Lee County, Alabama. The Lee County Remembrance Project gathered with over 100 community members at the Lee County Courthouse Square to honor and commemorate the lives of George Hart, John Moss, Samuel Harris, and Charles Humphries - 4 Black men who were victims of racial terror lynching. Our ceremony included a moving spoken word performance by the Auburn University Mosaic Theatre Company followed by a stirring rendition of "Deep River" sung by Kourtney Clay of the Auburn University Gospel Choir. Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, Auburn Mayor Pro Tem Beth Witten, and Smiths Station Mayor Pro Tem Morris Jackson then read a proclamation officially marking the Day of Remembrance in Lee County. In the final portion of the ceremony, the winners of the 2022 high school racial justice essay contest, in partnership with NAACP Lee County Branch #5038, were announced. An essay by JaNiah Hoskins, an 11th grader from Smiths Station High School, won the 1st place prize. The essay explored Alabama's history of voter suppression as well as current struggles for voting rights. After the ceremony, a reception was held at the Museum of East Alabama in downtown Opelika.

The crowd gathers at the Lee County Courthouse Sqaure

Community members gather at the Lee County Courthouse Square

Our 2022 Racial Justice Essay Contest winners.

The crowd gathers at the Lee County Courthouse Sqaure
THANK YOU
Thank you to Mayor Fuller, Mayor Anders, Mayor Copeland, Mayor Melzer, Mayor Pro Tem Beth Witten, and Mayor Pro Tem Morris Jackson, as well as City Administration in Lee County for all of your support, guidance, and leadership in confronting injustices in our community. A special thank you to Mrs. Leigh Krehling and Mrs. Barbra Arrington for all your support in helping us to organize and prepare for the Day of Remembrance as well as the proclamation.
Thank you to the Equal Justice Initiative, especially Miah and Sumita. Your support has helped us to consider our approaches in having intentional and critical conversations in our community about confronting injustices by utilizing the truth and reconciliation framework.
Thank you to Mosaic Theatre Company under the direction of Dr. Carr and Dr. Murtadha as well as soloist Kourtney Clay with the AU Gospel Choir for the moving performances. We are still reflecting on the intentionality behind your tribute, and we are so grateful for your participation.
Thank you so much to President Allen, Mrs. Laticia Smith, Mr. Nathaniel Scott, Apostle Carolyn Morton, and all the members of the NAACP Lee County Branch #5038. Thank you all so much for raising $5,000 for the Racial Justice Essay Contest, assisting LCRP in being intentional in the approach to the essay contest process, the numerous meetings, and conversations all in an effort to support young people in having a deep understanding about racial injustices experienced in Lee County. We thank you for providing students with a membership to NAACP Lee County Branch #5038. Your partnership with LCRP has proven to be helpful in so many ways. Thank you so much!
Thank you to the Museum of East Alabama, which generously agreed to serve as the venue for the reception following the ceremony. We are so grateful that you all supported us having the LCRP display and educational booklets at the Museum of East Alabama. We are honored to have our display at your museum and the support that you all have provided us in understanding the fullness of our history and the importance in contextualizing it in a display. Special thanks to Mr. Glenn Buxton and Mr. Jim Hardin for all your support and help throughout this process.
Thank you to Sweet Treats by Essie for catering our event. Your sweet treats were just the touch we needed. So many are still sharing with us how wonderful the reception food was!
A special thanks to Parker Hamilton, LCRP Board of Directors President and Patricia Butts, LCRP
Board of Directors Vice President for organizing such a beautiful reception. Thank you for all of your hard work throughout!
Thank you so much to Fifty Fund for your partnership and all the support you have provided with videography, photography, and your constant support from the beginning. We are grateful for you all!
Thank you to Well Red for the in-kind donations of the books for the essay contest winners. We know those narratives will continue to support students in confronting injustices and strategies for moving forward. We appreciate you all for your generosity.
Thank you so much Steve Guice, the American Sign Language Interpreter, for providing services at the ceremony. It is important to us that we consider all individuals and their needs. We thank you!
Thank you so much to Auburn United Methodist Church for providing chairs and sound equipment for the ceremony. We appreciate all your support you have provided LCRP over the years.
Thank you to Opelika First UMC church for your support in being an alternate location. We appreciate all that you have provided to LCRP over the years.
Last but certainly not least, thank you to the LCRP Board of Directors, LCRP Education committee, LCRP Day of Remembrance committee, and LCRP members for all the work you have done in making the Day of Remembrance so meaningful and special. You all are greatly appreciated, and we could not do this necessary work without you all.