Stop Lynching! -- February 11, 2024

Omaha Monitor, 29-February-1922

It is nice to know that good people were trying to stop lynching. The mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, James C Dahlman spoke on the subject at the Pilgrim Baptist Church. 

from the Omaha Monitor, 07-March:1922: MAYOR DAHLMAN SPEAKS

AT PILGRIM BAPTIST

CHURCH MASS MEETING

Chief Executive Unqualifiedly Favors

Passage of Dyer Anti-Lynching

Bill -- Meeting in Interest

of Drive

Pilgrim- Baptist church, Twenty-fifth and Hamilton street, Rev. W. M. Franklin, pastor, was filled Sunday afternoon for the mass meeting held under the auspices of the Omaha Branch of the N. A. A. C. P. It was in charge of the Anti-Lynching Fund Committee. Attorney John Adams was master of ceremonies. Mayor Dahlman delivered the address which was an unqualified defense of the Dyer Anti-Lynching bill. The Mayor said that he was not strong on the centralization of power and believed in the localization of authority in state government, but when it came to the protection of life and liberty, guaranteed to every citizen in the constitution, and states failed in this duty, the strong arm of the federal government should intervene. States had shown themselves impotent in suppressing mob violence and for that reason it had become apparent to many that such a measure as that proposed was the need of the hour. He had gone on record as favoring the bill.

Musical numbers were furnished by Rufus Long, Mrs. B. S. Brown, and the Rev. Russel Taylor. Mr. Taylor sang "Omaha" the words and music of which he had composed, the audience joining heartily in the chorus.

Mr. Adams made a strong appeal for contributions to the anti-lynching fund which resulted in cash contributions totaling $44.00 and a pledge of $10.

The President called attention to the ordinance passed several years ago forbidding the showing of films, etc., which had a tendency to embitter race relations and stated that "The Birth of a Nation" was showing at a local theatre. Mayor Dahlman read a letter which he had written the management.