Some progressive groups, particularly those linked to social justice, are apparently stoking racial tensions, and it seems the media is playing a part in this narrative.
Democratic representatives, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York and Ayanna Pressley from Massachusetts, sent a letter to federal authorities urging them to investigate what they term “modern-day lynchings.” In their letter, they reference findings from various social justice organizations that, it can be argued, may misinterpret certain tragedies as racially motivated incidents.
One such organization, JULIAN, announced in a report that there had been over 70 “recent lynchings” in the Southern U.S. JULIAN, a nonprofit focused on social justice and legal advocacy, was founded in 2020 by Jill Collen Jefferson, who is a civil rights attorney with a background in representing alleged victims of police violence and racial discrimination.
Interestingly, Jefferson was arrested in 2023 for filming police during a traffic stop, where she faced several charges, including disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Following this, Jefferson’s organization published a controversial report that suggested law enforcement purposely mishandled cases to conceal the true number of hate crimes or “modern-day lynchings.”
Despite making alarming claims, JULIAN’s report does not provide a clear example of a modern-day lynching. Instead, it broadens the definition to encompass cases deemed suicides by official medical and law enforcement sources. In a post on a social media platform, Ocasio-Cortez stated there had been “10 reported hangings of Black people” this year, calling for action against this supposed racial terror.
However, many community notes on these claims noted that the majority of the mentioned instances had been classified as suicides.
Ironically, one case that is being investigated as a homicide does not align with the narrative pushed by some progressive and social justice advocates. Tasia Fortune, a 29-year-old Black woman, was found hanging from a tree in Jackson, Mississippi, and her case is currently under investigation as a homicide.
While media reports like those from CNN highlight Fortune’s race, they seem to overlook the race of the individual charged in her case—51-year-old Jarques Ratliff, who is also Black. PBS’s coverage briefly mentioned both individuals’ races but suggested racial implications based on the nature of Fortune’s death, referencing the area’s violent racial history.
The reporting style observed from some outlets, including NBC News, implies a racial motive tied to Fortune’s death while conveniently excluding relevant details about the suspect.
Further cases promoted as lynchings by activists often lack substantiation. For example, Trey Reed was identified by JULIAN as a possible lynching victim when he was found hanging at the University of Mississippi. Official investigations labeled his death as a suicide, but Reed’s family sought further inquiry by hiring civil rights attorney Ben Crump, known for involvement in other high-profile cases.
Even Crump did not reach a conclusion aligned with the family’s hopes. A recent report indicated that Reed’s family felt left in the dark about the findings of the independent investigation.
Another case often cited by activists involves Willie Andrew Jones Jr., who was discovered hanging outside his girlfriend’s home post-argument. Although police classified his death as a suicide, his family has contested this ruling and filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the girlfriend’s stepfather, who found him. The lawsuit was ultimately awarded over $11 million, but it is critical to note that the civil standard for wrongful death is less rigorous than criminal standards.
While organizations like JULIAN promote racially charged narratives that may not always hold up to scrutiny, it’s interesting to consider their funding sources. Notably, JULIAN’s fiscal records reveal connections to individuals and entities tied to notable foundations, including those associated with George Soros and Jeffery Epstein’s associates.
Recent filings show Moore Impact Inc. contributed $300,000 to JULIAN, with ties to major funders like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Blavatnik Family Foundation, both of which have provided substantial financial support. Additionally, Borealis Philanthropy, which shares a mission of fostering a more inclusive society, was among the organization’s funders.
Connections to influential philanthropies raise questions about the motivations behind the support for organizations like JULIAN and their narratives.
