Montgomery County’s Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation will hold a marker dedication ceremony at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, in Rockville, to honor the memories of two of the three men who are known to be victims of racial terror lynchings in the County between 1880 and 1896. These markers will serve as a testament to acknowledging the past and building a more just future.
The dedication ceremony will take place at the Stella B. Werner, Montgomery County Council Building, which is located at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. The memories of John Diggs-Dorsey and Sidney Randolph will be recognized with historical markers to show the County’s commitment to acknowledging the past and building a more righteous future.
“As a former teacher, I know that education and understanding are essential for true progress,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “The dedication of these markers offers an opportunity to commemorate the painful history of racial terror lynching in our community, remember the lives lost to racial violence, and work toward a better future.”
The marker ceremony serves as the centerpiece of a month-long series of events, discussions and educational programs the Commission has planned for November, which is recognized as “Remembrance and Reconciliation Month.” November holds special significance—as Maryland Emancipation Day was recognized on Nov. 1—that marks the end of slavery in 1864 in Maryland. This day serves as a reminder of the progress made and the work that still lies ahead in achieving a more just society.
"Too often people want to skip to reconciliation, but we must start with remembrance and truth, sharing this difficult history and acknowledging that these acts happened here,” said Montgomery County Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation Chair Jason Green. “As we pay tribute to the victims, their stories provide an opportunity for us to speak in one unified voice that we will not stand for hatred or discrimination in all its forms."
Throughout the month of November, the Commission invites the community to join various activities, including conferences, celebrations and exhibitions that explore history and the path toward reconciliation. These events will provide an opportunity for dialogue, learning and a shared commitment to a more inclusive and equitable future.
The Montgomery County Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation was formed in 2019 through a resolution sponsored by County Councilmember Will Jawando and then-Councilmembers Hans Riemer and Craig Rice. The Commission was established to support the goal of bringing the County together to promote a better understanding of its history. The Commission is composed of community leaders who work with the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), Montgomery County Lynching Memorial Project (MoCoLMP) and other stakeholders to help the County engage in acts of commemoration for the three known victims of racial terror lynchings—George Peck (1880), Mr. Randolph (1896) and Mr. Diggs-Dorsey (1880).
For a full schedule of events and more information on the Commission’s mission, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/humanrights/outreach/remembrance-commission.html.
More information about Montgomery County Government’s Office of Human Rights is available at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/humanrights/.
