1/ In this week’s episode, @wabenews reporter @stephannnnie unearthed evidence of a 1936 lynching in Atlanta that researchers believe was led by a police officer.
That same officer was later named the KKK’s national leader. revealnews.org/episodes/the-l…
That same officer was later named the KKK’s national leader. revealnews.org/episodes/the-l…
2/ @stephannnnie first learned about the death of Thomas Finch during a visit to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama.
The only available information there was the year of his death.
So she started digging.
(Photo: @dustchambers)
The only available information there was the year of his death.
So she started digging.
(Photo: @dustchambers)
3/ She uncovered a nearly forgotten report by an organization called the Commission on Interracial Cooperation.
It concluded that Finch was falsely accused of raping a white woman, then murdered by a mob led by Samuel Roper, an Atlanta police officer.
It concluded that Finch was falsely accused of raping a white woman, then murdered by a mob led by Samuel Roper, an Atlanta police officer.
4/ Roper later was promoted to the top law enforcement position in Georgia.
Then, after that, he became the KKK’s Grand Wizard.
Then, after that, he became the KKK’s Grand Wizard.
5/ The report’s evidence lays out “the probability of torture and murder at the hands of the officers and friends of the girl.” 👇👇
6/ The city of Atlanta never followed up on this report. @universityofga professor E.M. Beck believes “an all-white power structure” is to blame.
7/ “You've got to ask what is it in their interest to try to pursue these things, especially if it involves the police,” he said. “And I would say that they have no interest in it.”
8/ When @Stephannnnie brought her findings to @Atlanta_Police, officials wouldn’t talk to her.
And the office of Mayor @KeishaBottoms only offered this short written statement:
And the office of Mayor @KeishaBottoms only offered this short written statement:
9/ Meanwhile, Thomas Finch’s descendants continue to seek closure.
One of them is Joyce Finch Morris, Thomas’ niece. (photo: @dustchambers)
One of them is Joyce Finch Morris, Thomas’ niece. (photo: @dustchambers)
10/ “I can pass this along to my family members, the ones who are still alive, and to my grandkids,” she said of @stephannnie’s reporting. “This is history. I mean, he’s memorialized. He’s not forgotten.”
11/ For more details about this story, read @stephannnnie's excellent written piece in @wabenews: wabe.org/a-forgotten-ly…
12/ And for more stories like this, please consider subscribing to our newsletter. revealnews.org/newsletter
