Easton, MD – The Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission (MLTRC) released its final report on Thursday, concluding six years of extensive research into the state’s history of racial terror lynchings. The document details four documented cases of lynchings that occurred in Maryland between 1886 and 1933, primarily affecting Black individuals on the Eastern Shore and in other rural areas. This release marks a significant step toward acknowledging and addressing the legacy of racial violence in the state.
The commission, established in 2020 by the Maryland General Assembly, conducted 14 public hearings across the state to gather testimonies, historical records, and community input. The report highlights the lynching of George Armwood in Princess Anne in 1933, one of the last such incidents in Maryland, as well as earlier cases in Salisbury, Crisfield, and Chestertown. These acts of extrajudicial violence were often carried out by white mobs in response to perceived threats or accusations against Black residents, reflecting broader patterns of racial terror in the Jim Crow era.
“This report is not just a historical document; it is a call to action for reconciliation and justice,” stated MLTRC Chair Mary L. Washington during the release event in Annapolis. The commission emphasized that while Maryland’s documented lynchings number fewer than in some Southern states, the impact on Black communities was profound, instilling fear and perpetuating systemic racism.
Key findings include the lack of accountability for perpetrators, with no convictions in the cases examined, and the role of local law enforcement in enabling or participating in the violence. The report also documents community efforts to suppress information about these events, contributing to a collective amnesia that the MLTRC seeks to reverse. For instance, in the Armwood case, a mob of thousands abducted the 25-year-old from jail and lynched him despite his innocence in the alleged assault on a white woman.
To foster reconciliation, the commission recommends establishing memorials at lynching sites, integrating the history into school curricula, and supporting reparative measures for descendants of victims. One specific addition from the report notes that at least 50 Black families were displaced in the aftermath of the Princess Anne lynching, leading to long-term economic hardship. Another example is the 1911 lynching in Salisbury, where the victim, Matthew Williams, was accused of murdering a white man; the report uncovers new archival evidence suggesting the accusation was fabricated amid labor disputes.
The MLTRC’s work aligns with national efforts, such as the Equal Justice Initiative’s lynching memorials, and has involved collaboration with historians, descendants, and local governments. On the Eastern Shore, where three of the four lynchings occurred, community leaders have expressed hope that the report will aid in healing divisions. “We’ve carried this pain for generations,” said a descendant of one victim during a hearing in Denton. “Acknowledgment is the first step toward true progress.”
Maryland lawmakers, who funded the commission, have indicated that the report’s recommendations will inform upcoming legislative sessions. Potential bills could include funding for historical markers and educational programs focused on racial justice. The full 200-page report is available online through the Maryland State Archives, encouraging public engagement in ongoing reconciliation processes.
This release comes amid renewed national discussions on racial reckoning, positioning Maryland as a leader in confronting its past. As the state moves forward, the MLTRC urges citizens to participate in truth-telling initiatives to prevent the repetition of such atrocities.