Equal Justice Initiative
@eji.org
We work to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment, and racial injustice. Led by Bryan Stevenson. Creators of @legacysites.eji.org
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Equal Justice Initiative
@eji.org
· Nov 14
Equal Justice Initiative
EJI works to end mass incarceration and racial inequality.
eji.org
EJI is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the U.S., to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. Learn more at eji.org.
We’re excited to announce that our 2026 calendars are now available to order online.
Our wall calendar is a powerful tool for learning about our nation’s history of racial injustice and its legacy. Shop the calendar here: bit.ly/47X2ZkL
Our wall calendar is a powerful tool for learning about our nation’s history of racial injustice and its legacy. Shop the calendar here: bit.ly/47X2ZkL
November 25, 2025 at 3:25 PM
We’re excited to announce that our 2026 calendars are now available to order online.
Our wall calendar is a powerful tool for learning about our nation’s history of racial injustice and its legacy. Shop the calendar here: bit.ly/47X2ZkL
Our wall calendar is a powerful tool for learning about our nation’s history of racial injustice and its legacy. Shop the calendar here: bit.ly/47X2ZkL
On this day in 1865, the Mississippi legislature passed an act restricting the civil rights of recently emancipated Black people as part of the first set of laws designed to codify racial hierarchy in the aftermath of the Civil War.
Nov. 25, 1865 | Mississippi Legislature Approves Nation’s First “Black Codes”
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
calendar.eji.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1865, the Mississippi legislature passed an act restricting the civil rights of recently emancipated Black people as part of the first set of laws designed to codify racial hierarchy in the aftermath of the Civil War.
On this day in 1958, the Supreme Court upheld Alabama's School Placement Law, which was designed to maintain segregation and allowed school boards to assign students to schools at their own discretion.
Nov. 24, 1958 | Supreme Court Allows Alabama to Evade Mandate for Racial Integration
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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November 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1958, the Supreme Court upheld Alabama's School Placement Law, which was designed to maintain segregation and allowed school boards to assign students to schools at their own discretion.
On this day in 2014, Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old Black boy, died from injuries inflicted when he was shot by a white police officer the day before. Tamir was playing in a park near his Cleveland home when a police car approached him.
Nov. 23, 2014 | Twelve-Year-Old Tamir Rice Dies of Injuries After Being Shot by Police
Learn more about our history of racial injustice,
calendar.eji.org
November 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 2014, Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old Black boy, died from injuries inflicted when he was shot by a white police officer the day before. Tamir was playing in a park near his Cleveland home when a police car approached him.
On this day in 1865, Mississippi authorized local officials to identify minor Black children who were orphans and “apprentice” them to white “masters or mistresses."
Nov. 22, 1865 | Mississippi Authorizes 'Sale' of Black Orphans to White 'Masters or Mistresses'
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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November 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1865, Mississippi authorized local officials to identify minor Black children who were orphans and “apprentice” them to white “masters or mistresses."
Conceptual artist Charles Gaines visited Freedom Monument Sculpture Park to discuss his new piece, "Hanging Tree." Mr. Gaines reflected on growing up in the Jim Crow South and how that impacts his art today.
Charles Gaines’s New Sculpture, "Hanging Tree," Now at Freedom Monument Sculpture Park
Mr. Gaines spoke to EJI about his upbringing and how it inspires his art today.
eji.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Conceptual artist Charles Gaines visited Freedom Monument Sculpture Park to discuss his new piece, "Hanging Tree." Mr. Gaines reflected on growing up in the Jim Crow South and how that impacts his art today.
On this day in 1927, the Supreme Court upheld Mississippi’s power to force a nine-year-old Chinese American girl to attend a "colored school" outside the district in which she lived.
Nov. 21, 1927 | Supreme Court Upholds Law Banning Chinese Americans from White Schools
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
calendar.eji.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1927, the Supreme Court upheld Mississippi’s power to force a nine-year-old Chinese American girl to attend a "colored school" outside the district in which she lived.
On this day in 1955, a white church community in Durant, Mississippi, fired their minister after he defended racial integration and spoke out in opposition to racial bigotry.
Nov. 20, 1955 | White Mississippi Congregation Fires Pastor for Defending Racial Integration
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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November 20, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1955, a white church community in Durant, Mississippi, fired their minister after he defended racial integration and spoke out in opposition to racial bigotry.
Wesley "Wes" Johnson, a Black teenager, was lynched in Alabama in 1937. His family and community members dedicated a historical marker in his honor as a part of EJI's Community Remembrance Project.
Marker Honoring Wes Johnson Dedicated in Henry County, Alabama
Wesley "Wes" Johnson, a Black teenager, was lynched in Alabama in 1937.
eji.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Wesley "Wes" Johnson, a Black teenager, was lynched in Alabama in 1937. His family and community members dedicated a historical marker in his honor as a part of EJI's Community Remembrance Project.
On this day in 1906, white employers in San Antonio refused to hire wrongfully discharged Black veterans seeking employment, in an effort to drive them out of town.
Nov. 19, 1906 | White Employers in Texas Refuse to Hire Wrongfully Discharged Black Veterans
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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November 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
On this day in 1906, white employers in San Antonio refused to hire wrongfully discharged Black veterans seeking employment, in an effort to drive them out of town.
Our daily calendar documents America's history of racial injustice. The USA TODAY Network is now featuring this content. We are excited that the reach of EJI's narrative work will be expanded to millions more.
EJI's History of Racial Injustice Series Now on USA TODAY
We are excited for this to expand the reach of our narrative work.
eji.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Our daily calendar documents America's history of racial injustice. The USA TODAY Network is now featuring this content. We are excited that the reach of EJI's narrative work will be expanded to millions more.
On this day in 1983, Chicago police officers acting under Commander Jon Burge beat and tortured James Cody, a Black man. For 30 years, Commander Burge tortured over 100 Black men to force confessions.
Nov. 18, 1983 | James Cody Tortured by Chicago Police
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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November 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
On this day in 1983, Chicago police officers acting under Commander Jon Burge beat and tortured James Cody, a Black man. For 30 years, Commander Burge tortured over 100 Black men to force confessions.
On this day in 1937, over 1,000 white students and faculty at the University of North Carolina gathered in support of a speech openly advocating white supremacy by the Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.
Nov. 17, 1937 | Students and Faculty at University of North Carolina Host Imperial Wizard of KKK
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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November 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1937, over 1,000 white students and faculty at the University of North Carolina gathered in support of a speech openly advocating white supremacy by the Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.
On this day in 1900, a mob of 300 white people in Limon, Colorado, chained Preston “John” Porter Jr., a 15-year-old Black teen, to a stake and burned him alive.
Nov. 16, 1900 | Preston John Porter Jr., 15, Lynched in Limon, Colorado
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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November 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1900, a mob of 300 white people in Limon, Colorado, chained Preston “John” Porter Jr., a 15-year-old Black teen, to a stake and burned him alive.
On this day in 1830, North Carolina passed laws that criminalized teaching enslaved Black people to read and that made the repeated dissemination of anti-slavery pamphlets punishable by death.
Nov. 15, 1830 | NC Mandates Death Sentence for Dissemination of Anti-Slavery Pamphlet
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
calendar.eji.org
November 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1830, North Carolina passed laws that criminalized teaching enslaved Black people to read and that made the repeated dissemination of anti-slavery pamphlets punishable by death.
On this day in 1960, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, escorted by federal marshals. A white mob protested her arrival, screaming slurs.
Nov. 14, 1960 | Six-Year-Old Ruby Bridges Integrates Elementary School Amidst Riots
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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November 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
On this day in 1960, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, escorted by federal marshals. A white mob protested her arrival, screaming slurs.
Leonidas Polk is known to historians as "arguably the worst tactical or strategic military leader in the entire [Civil War.]" He was an enslaver who boasted about whipping Black people. His name was restored on a Louisiana army base earlier this year.
Fort Polk, Louisiana
Leonidas Polk was an enslaver who bragged about whipping Black people.
eji.org
November 13, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Leonidas Polk is known to historians as "arguably the worst tactical or strategic military leader in the entire [Civil War.]" He was an enslaver who boasted about whipping Black people. His name was restored on a Louisiana army base earlier this year.
On this day in 1957, a Texas police chief threatened to jail local NAACP leaders for refusing to disclose confidential information about their members.
Nov. 13, 1957 | Texas Officials Threaten and Jail NAACP Officers for Not Disclosing Members
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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November 13, 2025 at 2:46 PM
On this day in 1957, a Texas police chief threatened to jail local NAACP leaders for refusing to disclose confidential information about their members.
On this day in 1935, a white mob lynched 15-year-old Ernest Collins and 16-year-old Benny Mitchell in Colorado County, Texas. Officials later called the lynching “justice,” and no one was punished.
Nov. 12, 1935 | Mob of 700 White People Lynches Two Black Teenagers in Colorado County, TX
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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November 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
On this day in 1935, a white mob lynched 15-year-old Ernest Collins and 16-year-old Benny Mitchell in Colorado County, Texas. Officials later called the lynching “justice,” and no one was punished.
This #VeteransDay, EJI acknowledges the plight of many Black veterans who, instead of being treated as honored members of society upon their return from service, were often attacked, lynched, mistreated and abused.
Remembering Black Veterans Targeted for Racial Violence in the U.S.
Honoring those who fought abroad for our country, and at home for equality and justice.
eji.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:30 PM
This #VeteransDay, EJI acknowledges the plight of many Black veterans who, instead of being treated as honored members of society upon their return from service, were often attacked, lynched, mistreated and abused.
On this day in 1831, an enslaved Black man named Nat Turner was hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia, after being convicted of leading a revolt against slavery.
Nov. 11, 1831 | Nat Turner Hanged and White Mobs Killed Hundreds of Black People
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
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November 11, 2025 at 2:01 PM
On this day in 1831, an enslaved Black man named Nat Turner was hanged in Jerusalem, Virginia, after being convicted of leading a revolt against slavery.
Veterans are overrepresented on death row across the United States. The Death Penalty Information Center's new report explores the cases of veterans sentenced to death and the injustices they face in the criminal legal system.
Forgotten Service, Lasting Wounds: Military Veterans and the Death Penalty | Death Penalty Information Center
**Executive Summary** - Though the Supreme Court has recognized the importance of military service in capital mitigation, the legal...
deathpenaltyinfo.org
November 11, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Veterans are overrepresented on death row across the United States. The Death Penalty Information Center's new report explores the cases of veterans sentenced to death and the injustices they face in the criminal legal system.
The 1898 Wilmington massacre drastically changed the landscape of the city. Dozens of Black people were killed, countless Black businesses moved or closed, and thousands of Black families fled the city in the wake of the insurrection.
The Wilmington Massacre of 1898
YouTube video by Equal Justice Initiative
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:57 PM
The 1898 Wilmington massacre drastically changed the landscape of the city. Dozens of Black people were killed, countless Black businesses moved or closed, and thousands of Black families fled the city in the wake of the insurrection.
On November 10, 1898, a shocking coup was executed in Wilmington, North Carolina, as white mobs led by former Confederate Col. Alfred Moore Waddell overthrew the city’s elected biracial government and massacred 60 or more Black people.
The Wilmington Massacre of 1898
A shocking coup was executed Wilmington, North Carolina.
eji.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
On November 10, 1898, a shocking coup was executed in Wilmington, North Carolina, as white mobs led by former Confederate Col. Alfred Moore Waddell overthrew the city’s elected biracial government and massacred 60 or more Black people.
On this day in 1898, a mob of as many as 1,000 white people waged a violent campaign to suppress African American voting in Phoenix, South Carolina, that left at least nine Black people dead. No one was ever held accountable.
Nov. 9, 1898 | At Least Nine Black People Killed by Mob Violence in Phoenix, South Carolina
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
calendar.eji.org
November 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM
On this day in 1898, a mob of as many as 1,000 white people waged a violent campaign to suppress African American voting in Phoenix, South Carolina, that left at least nine Black people dead. No one was ever held accountable.