My fellow advocate,

We hope this letter finds you well, we are writing to bring to your attention to a matter of grave historical injustice that has significantly impacted the African American community in Georgia. As concerned citizens and  advocates for social justice, we wish to highlight the illegal displacement of approximately 250 Black residents from Oscarville, Georgia, and the expropriation of 50,000 acres of their land.

Oscarville, a once-thriving African American community, was systematically dismantled in the early 20th century. Its residents were slaughtered or forcibly removed, and their properties were unlawfully seized without due process or compensation. This displacement not only stripped families of their homes and livelihoods, but a vital part of Georgia's cultural and historical heritage was buried under the tourist attraction we know today as Lake Lanier. Which has been reported to claim 700 lives since its completion in 1956.** In too many parts of the US, we preserve the ugly stains of this country’s racism, while eliminating memories of the thriving Black communities that once stood strong. Lake Lanier is a chilling reminder of anti-Black violence that is still claiming Black lives today. 

Our mission is to seek justice, compensation , historical protection and restoration of the land for the descendants of Oscarville’s residents, whose lives were irrevocably altered by these egregious actions.

With your support we aim to achieve the following goals:

Compensation for the Displaced Residents: We seek fair and equitable compensation for the descendants of the 250 Black residents who were forcibly removed from Oscarville. This compensation should reflect the value of the homes, land, and opportunities lost due to the displacement.

Restoration of Stolen Land: We urge the state to restore the 50,000 acres of land that were unlawfully taken from the Oscarville community. Where restoration is not feasible, equivalent financial compensation should be provided.

Historical Recognition and Education: We are asking for the preservation and protection of Oscarville’s history through the establishment of memorials and agriculture based educational programs. These efforts will ensure that the story of Oscarville is not forgotten and that future generations are educated about this chapter in Civil Rights history.

We believe that addressing and taking accountability for the illegal uprooting of Oscarville residents is not only morally imperative but also a crucial step towards addressing the economic disadvantages black American farmers were challenged with in the past and present. 

By signing this petition, Your influence and commitment to fighting social injustice will assist us in urging local government officials and stakeholders, to prioritize this tragedy that has plagued the descendants of the City of Oscarville for decades. 

** : https://a-z-animals.com/blog/discover-why-lake-lanier-could-be-americas-most-dangerous-lake/