Facing Injustice
What is the Facing Injustice Project?
The goal of the Facing Injustice project is to support the greater Terre Haute community to face injustices of the past (such as the February 26, 1901 lynching of George Ward in Terre Haute) to help us heal and build a more just future.
The Facing Injustice project is a part of the nation-wide Community Remembrance Project of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), based in Montgomery, Alabama. EJI’s Community Remembrance Project is part of their campaign to recognize the victims of lynching by collecting soil from lynching sites, erecting historical markers, and creating a national memorial that acknowledges the horrors of racial injustice.
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When are upcoming events in the Facing Injustice Project?
- Group trip to the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, AL. Dates TBD.
- Follow us on Facebook to learn about upcoming opportunities.
- Educational programs ongoing see below for more details.
Past events
- March 1, 2020: Soil Collection Ceremony, North Fairbanks Park. Watch this short video about the soil collection event.
- March 3, 2020: It happened here: Examining the legacy of racial terrorism in the United States and Vigo County, plus informational table, Human Rights Day at ISU
- September 15, 2021: OLLI event: Facing Injustice… Lynching in America and On the Banks of the Wabash. Recording here. Content warning: This presentation contains images and descriptions of historical lynchings and other forms of racist violence.
- September 25, 2021: The George Ward Story: A Lynching in Terre Haute, Vigo County Historical Museum, Dr. Crystal Mikell Reynolds (FI member and local historian). With special appearance by Terry Ward.
- September 26, 2021: Historical Marker Dedication Ceremony, Fairbanks Park, Terre Haute.
- February 26, 2022: Racial Justice Essay Contest: Award ceremony
- May 22, 2022: Reflection/Discussion Program
Who is involved in the Facing Injustice Project?
The Facing Injustice project is a collaborative effort of many individuals and groups in the Wabash Valley area.
Our core team of project coordinators:
Gary Daily 
Sylvester Edwards 
Linda Lambert 
Jeanne Rewa 
Crystal Reynolds 
Drucella Thomas 
Susan Tingley
Project volunteers include: S. Barbara Battista, Jack Cooper, Ronald Cooper, Tracy Higginbotham, Benjamin Kite, Jordan Lough, Anne Mahady, Kiel Majewski, Kimberly McMurray, Vincent Morales, Adam Pomfret, Jody Pomfret, Jacqueline Stewart, Terry Ward, and others
Other supporters through collaboration and/or donations: The Interfaith Council of the Wabash Valley, NAACP Branch #3068, Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, The Terre Haute Human Relations Commission, Vigo County Historical Society
How can I learn more?
Resources
- Follow us on Facebook for regular posts with educational resources and upcoming opportunities.
- On-demand Reflection/Discussion Guide you can use when visiting the site as an individual or with a group.
- More about our marker dedication event from EJI
- Stories and information about the national soil collection and historical marker project that Facing Injustice is part of: EJI’s Community Remembrance Project
- Learn more about lynching in America: The Lynching in America Report from EJI
- For teachers: Lesson Plans to use with the Lynching in America report. (Aligned with CCSS).
- Racial Justice Resources from EJI
Programs
Attend one of our upcoming events or contact us via our Facebook page about programs we can bring to your group/faith community/class.
News
- “NAACP honors local high school students.” WTWO/WAWV, 26 Feb. 2022.
- “Terre Haute Community Memorializes George Ward with Historical Marker.” EJI, 21 Dec. 2021.
- “Historical marker dedicated to 1901 lynching victim.” Tribune Star, 26 Sept. 2021.
- “Tribune-Star Editorial: Community faces injustice.” Tribune Star, 29 Sept. 2021.
- “Historical marker dedicated to Indiana lynching victim.” Houston Chronicle, 27 Sept. 2021.
- “Terre Haute, Local NAACP Chapter Dedicate Historical Marker on Past Lynching.” WTIU/WFIU. 27 Sept 2021.
- “New historical marker is dedicated to man who was lynched in the Wabash Valley.” WTHI. 27 Sept 2021.
- “Historical marker dedicated to George Ward and Family.” WTWO/WAWV. 26 Sept. 2021.
- “Righting a wrong – Lynching memorial unveiling is Sunday.” Tribune Star, 25 Sept. 2021.
- “Facing Injustice: Terre Haute, Vigo County To Acknowledge Lynching History Sunday.” WTIU, 24 Sept. 2021.
- “Lynching historical marker to be unveiled Sept. 26.” Tribune Star, 13 Sept. 2021.
- “Human Rights Day exposes students to roots of polarization, prejudice.” Tribune Star, 4 Mar. 2020.
- “Terre Haute Remembers Injustice of the Past.” Tribune Star, 3 Mar. 2020.
- “Terre Haute NAACP remembers victims of lynching in the Wabash Valley.” WTWO/WAWV, 1 Mar. 2020.
- “Soil collection ceremony remembers injustices of the past.” WTHI-TV, 1 Mar. 2020.
Media Inquiries
Submit requests from the media to the Greater Terre Haute NAACP.