© Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial 
On October 10, 2003 the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial was dedicated to the memory of three young African American men whose lives were cut short when they were lynched in downtown Duluth on June 15th, 1920 for a crime they did not commit. The creation of the Memorial is a testament to the public’s commitment to acknowledge its painful history and move forward to build a more just and inclusive community. The Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial is the only U.S. monument of its scale dedicated to victims of lynching.
Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Inc. Announces the 2013 Week of Remembrance
Media Contacts:
Jodi Broadwell, CJMM, Inc. Board Co-Chair, 218-940-3500
Blair Moses, CJMM, Inc. Board Co-Chair, 763-221-3821
e-mail: info@claytonjacksonmcghie.org
Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Inc. announces the 2013 Week of Remembrance to reflect, commemorate and restore peace and faith in the Duluth community as a result of the 1920 lynching. This year marks the 93rd anniversary of the tragedy that ended the lives of Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson and Isaac McGhie, three young African American men who were falsely accused, taken by a mob from the old Duluth jail on East Superior Street, and lynched at the intersection where the Memorial now stands.
This year marks the 10th year since Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial’s dedication. It was 13 years ago that a group of passionate community members led the effort to gain public and financial support to build the memorial, which was officially installed on October 10, 2003. The group evolved into today’s nonprofit Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Inc., which continues the work of fostering racial justice through education, reconciliation, and healing.
CJMM, Inc. will recognize these milestones with the following programs:
Wednesday, June 12, 11:30-12:30 PM, Ordean Building, 424 W Superior St, Conference Room B&C — Bringing the Truth to Light: A Community Forum on Racism Today Bring your lunch and join us to watch the 30-minute, locally produced program. The broadcast features community members, activists, and organizational leaders who gathered to provide insight into the reality of racial inequality in our community.
Thursday, June 13, 5:00 PM, Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, First St & Second Ave E — Set Us Free: Youth Spoken Word Night in partnership with Suicidemindz, we will create and foster conversations about racial justice with local youth. Come learn how to write poetry and perform spoken word. Speak Out! Let your voice be heard!
Friday, June 14, 12:00 PM, Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, First St & Second Ave E — Day of Remembrance: 10 Years of Working Towards Atonement Gather with us to honor the memory of the three young men who were lynched in 1920. Special guest speakers include: Makayla Head, La Tanya Autry, and Dr. Janet Haynes.
Friday, June 14, 1:00 PM, CJMM, Inc. Office, Zeitgeist Arts Building, 222 E Superior St Suite 302 — Open House Come see our office and enjoy some refreshments with us.
Saturday, June 15, 12:00 PM, Park Hill Cemetery, 2500 Vermillion Rd — Vigil Please join us at the gravesites of Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson and Isaac McGhie for a program that includes music, singing, laying of flowers, and a tree planting.
For more information, call (218) 722-9083.
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Community Stand Against Racism Sign
Download it here
Duluth News Tribune
Anti-racism effort in Duluth vows to fight on
City Leaders View: Response, not racism, defines Duluth
“An event has happened, upon which it is difficult to speak and impossible to remain silent.” Those words are carved atop of the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, dedicated to the three black men senselessly lynched by an angry white mob in downtown Duluth in 1920. This dark and disgusting chapter of Duluth’s history will forever serve as our reminder of our collective civic duty as a community to stand up to racism and all other forms of discrimination and hatred.
Our community and society have come a long way since then. However, an unfortunate string of recent racist actions has reminded us we still have a long way to go. From the hanging effigy of our president on Election Day to the recent incidents involving blackface, it’s sadly very clear racism remains an ongoing problem in our country and our community. These particular events made headlines, yet we must also acknowledge that there is a more insidious and constant racism that burdens people of color every day.
These latest incidents should serve as a reminder of the progress yet to be made. They are disgusting examples of hateful racism that clearly do not represent the Duluth I know and love. Yet, our collective response at this very moment can represent the community I believe in, a community where we are proud to raise our children. We have an opportunity to use this unacceptable and hurtful behavior to demonstrate Duluth’s true values. Once again, it may be difficult to speak, but it is absolutely impossible to remain silent.
As a community, we must stand united against these actions and make clear we have zero tolerance for racism. I strongly believe the vast majority of people in Duluth are compassionate, accepting people willing to stand up together for the sake of the entire community and combat racism, bigotry and other forms of oppression. Sadly, the actions of a few can disparage the entire community. Yet the collective response of many can inspire not only our own community but others as well.
Fortunately, we already know we have many courageous citizens and local organizations ready to step up and do this often difficult but crucial work. It already has been taking place right here in Duluth. Fellow partners of the Un-Fair Campaign already have been working together to end racism. I’ve been proud to stand with them and remain as committed as ever to continue our mission.
The process hasn’t been without controversy or misunderstanding from some, yet it’s clearer than ever the vital work must continue and expand. I urge all residents to become engaged in our effort. I hope folks will both join us in speaking out against these recent racist acts and, more importantly, further our collective commitment to eliminate racism from our entire community, ensuring everyone can enjoy the beautiful community we share here in Duluth.
Don Ness is mayor of Duluth.
November 8th 2012
“An Event has happened, upon which it is difficult to speak and impossible to remain silent.” Edmund Burke
On Election Day, an effigy of President Barack Obama was discovered hanging on a billboard in the city of Duluth.
As stewards of a memorial, commemorated in our city on October 10, 2003 honoring the memory of three black men lynched here in 1920, CJMM,Inc. is compelled to speak out.
The Clayton, Jackson, McGhie Memorial is a testament to the public’s commitment to acknowledge its painful history and to move forward to build a more just and inclusive community.
One of the quotes carved in the Memorial wall reads, “An event has happened, upon which it is difficult to speak and impossible to remain silent.” (Edmund Burke)
Tuesday’s symbolic act was another such event, and an assault on our community’s integrity. It was an act of injustice and exclusion. It was an ugly, hateful and blatantly racist way to express one’s opposition to our nation’s first African American President, seeking reelection on Election Day.
As a community, we cannot tolerate bigotry and hate. We cannot ignore or remain indifferent to the heinous nature of this act.
We can speak out and defy such behavior in our community. We can commit to actively eradicate racism and hatred in our midst.
Clayton, Jackson, McGhie, Inc. Board of Directors
In Solidarity with the following Un-Fair Campaign Partners – Office of the Mayor, University of Wisconsin – Superior, Duluth Human Rights Commission, Lutheran Social Services, CHUM, Peace Church, YWCA, League of Women Voters and Men As Peacemakers
As well of the Office of Cultural Diversity at UMD, Carl Crawford, Jay Newcomb The Center for Just Living, College of St. Scholastica, and Emily Johnson and Nam Provost, Office of Institutional Diversity, College of St. Scholastica
Congratulations to our 2012 Scholarship recipients! Scholarship in the amount of $1000 is awarded to Mariah Preap, who will be attending the College of St. Scholastica in the Fall. Honorable Mention Scholarship in the amount of $500 is awarded to Marilyn Bermudez, who will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Stout in the Fall. CJMM, Inc. has been able to raise the 2013 Scholarship to $1500. We welcome graduating seniors in the Duluth/Superior area (Douglas, Carlton or southern St. Louis counties) who will attend an accredited, non-profit technical school, community college or four-year university (public or private) in the fall following his or her senior year.
CJMM, Inc. becomes a partner in the Un-Fair Campaign. This campaign is a collaboration of community organizations working to address white privilege. Learn more, get involved, and keep up to date HERE.
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