MD SJ3

Maryland formally apologizes for the State's complicity and negligence in 38 documented cases of racial terror lynching that occurred between 1854 and 1933, as well as any undiscovered cases

The resolution acknowledges government failures including: not passing anti-lynching legislation in 1898 and 1933, denying Black Marylanders equal protection and due process under the 14th Amendment, and colluding to conceal perpetrators' identities

No individual was ever held accountable for any of the 38 documented lynchings, with State inaction providing tacit approval and contributing to perpetrators' sense of impunity

The State commits to implementing reparative actions recommended by the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established in 2019 under Chapter 41 of the Acts of the General Assembly

The resolution recognizes the resilience of Black families and communities harmed by racial terror lynchings and commits to preventing recurrence of racially motivated harms