EJI Historical Marker Ceremony for July Perry
Donation protected
Truth and Justice Project is seeking to raise funds to cover key budget expenses for our upcoming June 21st Historical Marker Unveiling Ceremony honoring July Perry, an African American man who was lynched in the dark hours following the Election Day of 1920.
July Perry was a prominent leader, businessman and landowner in Ocoee, FL during the early 1900’s, also, well known for his advocacy of African American voting rights. On the evening of November 2, 1920, Perry’s home was ambushed by a newly-deputized mob of white men. He was wounded in a shootout as he attempted to defend himself and his family. Two men within the mob were killed during the melee and Perry was taken captive to the Orlando jail. Later on that night, he was snatched from his cell, tied to the back of a vehicle and dragged to a location near downtown Orlando where, in addition to being hung, his body was tallied with multiple gunshots. His lynching marked the onset of the burning of Ocoee’s black residences and murdering of a number of its citizens in what would later be known as the Ocoee Massacre, one of the South’s deadliest outbreaks of racial violence.
The funds raised by Gofundme will cover expenses within Truth and Justice Project’s budget for hosting the family descendants of July Perry, and cost related to hosting entertainment for the historical marker unveiling ceremony.
Description of Event
The marker honoring Perry is part of the Equal Justice Initiative's Community Remembrance Project, which recognizes U.S. victims of lynching between the end of Reconstruction in 1877 and 1950. In the past, few public memorials have addressed the nation's history of lynchings, and most victims such as Perry have never been publicly acknowledged. Such acknowledgment is part of a path toward healing, says Josie Lemon Allen of the Truth and Justice Project. "We are working to create a more hopeful, collaborative, and just society for every person in Orange County, Florida."
The 10:30 am ceremony titled "Orange County: A Time for Solidarity" is sponsored by the Montgomery, AL based Equal Justice Initiative in partnership with the Truth and Justice Project of Orange County, FL. It will take place at Heritage Square, 65 E. Central Blvd., the park in front of the Orange County Regional History Center.
Bryan Stevenson, the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, will speak directly after the unveiling at the Orlando Public Library. He is a widely acclaimed public-interest lawyer and author of the book Just Mercy, Stevenson and his staff have advocated for the release of more than 125 wrongly condemned prisoners on death row.
In addition to EJI and the Truth and Justice Project, the marker unveiling ceremony is sponsored by Bridge the Gap Coalition, Inc., Orange County Government, the Orange County Public Library System, the Orange County Regional History Center, and the City of Orlando.
What is Truth and Justice Project?
Truth and Justice Project (TJP) is a volunteer based organization in Orange County, FL that engages with the community to promote education concerning the truth of our local history, and to advocate justice for those who have been harmed by inequities born of prejudice. TJP builds on the work of the Equal Justice Initiative, based in Montgomery, Alabama.
https://www.facebook.com/TJPOrangeCounty/
Donations
Bridge the Gap Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
July Perry was a prominent leader, businessman and landowner in Ocoee, FL during the early 1900’s, also, well known for his advocacy of African American voting rights. On the evening of November 2, 1920, Perry’s home was ambushed by a newly-deputized mob of white men. He was wounded in a shootout as he attempted to defend himself and his family. Two men within the mob were killed during the melee and Perry was taken captive to the Orlando jail. Later on that night, he was snatched from his cell, tied to the back of a vehicle and dragged to a location near downtown Orlando where, in addition to being hung, his body was tallied with multiple gunshots. His lynching marked the onset of the burning of Ocoee’s black residences and murdering of a number of its citizens in what would later be known as the Ocoee Massacre, one of the South’s deadliest outbreaks of racial violence.
The funds raised by Gofundme will cover expenses within Truth and Justice Project’s budget for hosting the family descendants of July Perry, and cost related to hosting entertainment for the historical marker unveiling ceremony.
Description of Event
The marker honoring Perry is part of the Equal Justice Initiative's Community Remembrance Project, which recognizes U.S. victims of lynching between the end of Reconstruction in 1877 and 1950. In the past, few public memorials have addressed the nation's history of lynchings, and most victims such as Perry have never been publicly acknowledged. Such acknowledgment is part of a path toward healing, says Josie Lemon Allen of the Truth and Justice Project. "We are working to create a more hopeful, collaborative, and just society for every person in Orange County, Florida."
The 10:30 am ceremony titled "Orange County: A Time for Solidarity" is sponsored by the Montgomery, AL based Equal Justice Initiative in partnership with the Truth and Justice Project of Orange County, FL. It will take place at Heritage Square, 65 E. Central Blvd., the park in front of the Orange County Regional History Center.
Bryan Stevenson, the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, will speak directly after the unveiling at the Orlando Public Library. He is a widely acclaimed public-interest lawyer and author of the book Just Mercy, Stevenson and his staff have advocated for the release of more than 125 wrongly condemned prisoners on death row.
In addition to EJI and the Truth and Justice Project, the marker unveiling ceremony is sponsored by Bridge the Gap Coalition, Inc., Orange County Government, the Orange County Public Library System, the Orange County Regional History Center, and the City of Orlando.
What is Truth and Justice Project?
Truth and Justice Project (TJP) is a volunteer based organization in Orange County, FL that engages with the community to promote education concerning the truth of our local history, and to advocate justice for those who have been harmed by inequities born of prejudice. TJP builds on the work of the Equal Justice Initiative, based in Montgomery, Alabama.
https://www.facebook.com/TJPOrangeCounty/
Donations
Bridge the Gap Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
Co-organizers (4)
Kimasia Ayers
Organizer
Orlando, FL
Truth and Justice Project of Orange County
Beneficiary
Janice Stieber-Rous
Co-organizer
Curtis Michelson
Co-organizer
Curtis Michelson
Co-organizer