Hundreds of people gathered outside a church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to mark the 100th anniversary of the country's deadliest racial massacre, and President Joe Biden is expected to pay tribute to the victims later today.
The Tulsa race massacre occurred between May 31 and June 1, 1921, when white residents in Tulsa's Greenwood district attacked black inhabitants and set fire to shops, killing dozens to 300 people.
Prior to the slaughter, civil rights groups joined local faith leaders in giving prayers outside Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was under construction at the time but was largely destroyed.
Civil rights activist Reverend William Barber said he was "humbled even to stand on this holy land."
"You can kill the people, but you can't kill the blood's voice," he explained.
Despite the fact that the church was nearly destroyed, worshippers continued to meet in the basement and the building was restored some years later, becoming a symbol of Tulsa's black community's perseverance.
Democratic lawmakers Barbara Lee, Lisa Blunt Rochester, and Chris Coons were among those who spoke during the outdoor ceremony.
Ms. Rochester stated, "We're here to commemorate, to mourn, and to rebuild equitably."
Participants placed their hands on the prayer wall along the side of the sanctuary as the service came to a close, as singer Santita Jackson sang Lift Every Voice and Sing.
The day's events were meant to come to a conclusion at ONEOK Fields on Monday, with a performance by John Legend and a keynote speech by voting rights champion Stacey Abrams.
Last week, however, the event was canceled due to a disagreement over payment for three survivors of the attack.
Legend did not specifically address the cancellation of the concert in a statement tweeted on Sunday, but did say: "The road to restorative justice is crooked and difficult - and there is space for rational individuals to disagree about the best method to heal the collective pain of white supremacy."
"However, one fact that cannot be debated - one fact that we must grasp with conviction - is that the road to reconciliation is paved with truth and accountability."
Meanwhile, a joint service for the massacre was held on Sunday at the First Baptist Church of North Tulsa, conducted by Reverend John Faison Sr.
President Biden is expected to visit Tulsa on Tuesday, and the Centennial Commission held a candlelight vigil on Monday to honor the victims of the tragedy.
He will be the first president to participate in commemorations of the events that occurred on "Black Wall Street."
During a search for victims of the atrocity in October, at least ten remains were discovered in an unmarked mass grave.
The finding of ten coffins was deemed noteworthy by the city's mayor, GT Bynum, who set aside $100,000 (£71,000) in order to locate victims after prior searches had failed.
