University News

WIU Professor Hosting Race Riot Bike Tour in Chicago

July 17, 2024

Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL - - Peter Cole, a Western Illinois University History professor, seeks to educate and bring awareness to one of the most impactful race riots in Illinois and U.S. history this weekend.

Cole is the founder and co-director of the Chicago Race Riot of 1919 Commemoration Project (CRR19) which focuses on the deadliest incident of racial violence in Chicago history, part of the Red Summer of 1919, one of the bloodiest periods in 20th century America. The free bike and bus tour, which begins at the intersection of 35th St. and State St. in Chicago, has been held annually since 2019 and this year's edition will run from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20.

"It's a major factor in the residential segregation that widened and deepened in the 1920s and continues to shape the city," Cole said.

During the Chicago Race Riot of 1919, 38 people were killed and 537 people were injured as mass violence affected the entire city for an entire week. The tour will take attendees through Bronzeville and Bridgeport, showing significant buildings and locations from the Riot and its legacy as well as locations connected to the proud history of Black Chicagoans.

This year's event will begin with the unveiling of five artistic glass public markers. The organization is partnering with Organic Oneness and Firebird Community Arts' Project FIRE for the artwork. Project FIRE includes youth artists who are survivors of violence, which Cole says makes their involvement that much more impactful. The project has also received major grants from the Chicago Monuments Project and the city's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events among others.

"A central component of CRR19 is to have artistic, historical markers designed, created, and installed - one for each of the 38 people killed, at the locations where they were killed," Cole said. "Our public art initiative is inspired by an ongoing Holocaust memorial public art project based in Berlin."

After the ride, attendees will enjoy a free lunch, music, and an opportunity to engage with local organizations in attendance as well as interact with the new markers.

To register for the event, visit bit.ly/3VYwtso. To learn more about CRR19 or make a donation, visit chicagoraceriot.org.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing