Indiana Remembrance Coalition
A century ago, a 19-year-old Black man was found lynched in Riverside Park. The 1922 death certificate said the young laborer had taken his own life, even though the coroner had visited the crime scene and declared, "The man could not have hanged himself."
The March 16, 1922, death was front-page news for two days. But then someone scrawled the word "suicide" on the death certificate and the story disappeared. No one was ever brought to justice.
A century later, after extensive research, the Indiana Remembrance Coalition petitioned the Marion County Coroner's Office to take a fresh look at the case. On March 12, 2022, Chief Deputy Coroner Alfie McGinty unveiled a corrected death certificate. Now it says "homicide."
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett apologized on behalf of the city of Indianapolis. "In 1922, teenager George Tompkins did not receive justice from his city - neither in life, nor in death. Today, by remembering and preserving our full history, we commit ourselves to a more just and humane future for all residents of Indianapolis," the mayor said.
Follow along with us over the next few months, as we bring updates about further steps to recognize and honor the life and death of George Tompkins.
The Indiana Remembrance Coalition (IRC) engages the community in education, dialogue, and reflection to promote racial healing and justice. Click here to learn more or join this group.