Salisbury lynching apology discussions move forward
SALISBURY, Md. – The City of Salisbury is moving forward with work on a formal apology for past lynchings in the City. Both the Wicomico Truth and Reconciliation Initiative and the Wicomico County NAACP requested an apology for the killings. Three black citizens were lynched in the late 1800s and early 1900s within the City.
The advocacy groups said in part in a statement: “In addition to the duty of city officials to act in the best interests of all its citizens and to protect the most vulnerable, some city officials have recently been identified as having been directly involved in the lynching of Matthew Williams on December 4th, 1931. Specifically police chief Nicholas Holland, who helped lead the mob that kidnapped Williams; and fire chief Frederick Grier Jr., who provided the rope used to hang Williams. It is felt that an honest reckoning with our shared history will help to rebuild a trust that has been repeatedly broken, and allow a true chance for healing.”
They initially presented the Council with an apology that could be signed but the City instead said they would do research and craft one on their own.
The Council is expected to discuss a possible resolution for the apology this coming Monday, November 27. It’s part of a special work session that begins at 6:35 PM.
The agenda item reads: “Discussion of resolution concerning an apology for the racial terror lynching of three black citizens of Salisbury, MD”
The public is invited to join at the Salisbury headquarters building downtown.