After at least 120 years of attempts to make lynching a federal crime, it appears the country is closer to having such a law.
Many years ago Alvin Sykes, a Kansas City civil rights activist, embarked on a mission to find justice for Emmett Till. Sykes is a classic activist working tirelessly on whatever challenges requiring his energetic research and problem solving input. Sykes has worked with the Till family, numerous legislators, and two executive branch appointees. The Emmett Till Antilynching Act has Alvin Sykes DNA throughout.
Florida Rep. Ted Yoho, Louie Gohmert of Texas, Massie of Kentucky, and Justin Amash of Michigan voted no on the lynch bill.
Emmett Louis Till was a 14-year-old African American who was horrifically murdered in Mississippi in 1955, after being accused of offending a white woman in her family’s grocery store. Since that time the accuser has retracted her statement and admitted she lied. Also please note the accuser Carolyn Donham did not receive any form of penalty for playing a role in the demise of young Emmett Till. READ MORE ABOUT THE MURDER
We are reminded daily hows much the antilynching act is necessary. The monument dedicated to Emmett Till has constantly been desecrated. These violent acts on the Till memorial is a not-so-friendly reminder of the violent hate against the co-existence and acceptance of African-Americans into the American fabric at-large .