Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Committee hears resolution asking Maryland to apologize for racial terror lynchings
Loading...
Summary
Delegate White Holland introduced HJ 8, a resolution calling for the state to apologize and acknowledge complicity in racial terror lynchings; witnesses from the commission and civil‑rights advocates urged the committee to refer the resolution favorably and cited the commission—inding of 38 victims and 84 policy recommendations.
Delegate Jennifer White Holland presented House Joint Resolution 8, asking the General Assembly to apologize for and acknowledge the state's responsibility in racial terror lynchings and to pursue reparative recommendations from the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
"The Commission documented 38 victims of racial terror lynchings," Delegate White Holland said, describing the commission—indings and 84 policy recommendations for repair and reconciliation. She said an apology is a first step toward truth and healing.
Nicholas Query and Michelle Coles testified in support. Coles, a commissioner on the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a civil‑rights attorney, said lynchings were unlawful killings that deprived victims of due process and that the state—ailed to hold perpetrators accountable. "This apology is an important first step," she said.
Committee members did not take a recorded vote during the hearing; supporters urged the committee to refer HJ 8 to the full House with a favorable recommendation so the General Assembly can consider reparative steps.
What happens next: The resolution remains before the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee; proponents requested referral to the full House for additional consideration and potential action on the commission's recommendations.
