On July 28, 1918, the National Liberty Congress of Colored Americans, which was held in Washington, D.C., made a significant request to Congress, urging them to pass a law making lynching a federal crime. At the time, lynching was widespread, particularly in the southern United States, and African Americans were often the victims of these brutal acts. The request reflected the increasing demand for federal action to protect civil rights and to address the rampant violence that African Americans faced.
Also on July 28, 1918, Congressman Leonidas C. Dyer of Missouri introduced a bill to make lynching a federal crime. This was a response to the growing violence, especially against African Americans, in the South. The Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill aimed to make lynching a federal offense by punishing individuals who took part in lynchings or failed to intervene to stop them. The bill was heavily supported by civil rights groups but faced strong opposition in Congress, particularly from Southern Democrats. Despite efforts, the bill was not passed.
The 1918 bill was a significant early attempt to address racial violence and inequality through federal legislation, but it highlighted the challenges of enacting civil rights protections during that era.
Despite the persistent efforts of civil rights organizations and leaders, it would take many years before a federal anti-lynching law was passed, and it wasn’t until 2022 that the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act was signed into law, making lynching a federal hate crime.
