Condemn, apologize for displacement of Randolph Freedpeople

As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
H. C. R. No. 11

2025-2026

Representative
Jarrells

Cosponsors:
Representatives Brennan, Brownlee, Grim, McNally, Mohamed,
Piccolantonio, Russo, Sims, Upchurch

A
c o n c u r r e n t R E S O L U T I O N

To
acknowledge, condemn, and apologize for the wrongful displacement of
the Randolph Freedpeople.

BE
IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF OHIO (THE
SENATE CONCURRING):

WHEREAS,
In 1833, Virginia slaveholder John Randolph died and thereby, through
his will, freed his slaves from bondage; and

WHEREAS,
Randolph's former slaves, a group of 383 persons known now as the
Randolph Freedpeople, ultimately secured their emancipation after a
thirteen-year long legal battle over John Randolph's will; and

WHEREAS,
In June 1846, The Randolph Freedpeople began their journey north from
Virginia, primarily by foot, to 3,200 acres of land in Ohio, which
had been purchased for their settlement; and

WHEREAS,
Community leaders and elected officials in Ohio, hearing of the
approach of the Randolph Freedpeople, passed a resolution stating
their refusal to live among African Americans and their intent to
violently resist the settlement of African Americans; and

WHEREAS,
The Randolph Freedpeople were prevented from settling on their
purchased land by an armed white mob and forced, for fear of their
lives, to settle elsewhere in western Ohio; and

WHEREAS,
Though dispossessed of their land and forced to start their new lives
from nothing, the Randolph Freedpeople made significant contributions
to the cultural, social, political, and economic fabric of the areas
of Ohio they eventually settled and the state as a whole; and

WHEREAS,
Despite the severe injustice inflicted upon the Randolph Freedpeople,
the State of Ohio failed to intervene on their behalf; and

WHEREAS,
Despite Ohio's status as a "free" state, by the enactment
and operation of Ohio's "Black Laws," racial discrimination
and racist restrictions on the rights of African Americans were
official state policy at the time the Randolph Freedpeople came to
Ohio; and

WHEREAS,
The State of Ohio has never officially recognized or apologized for
its role, by action and inaction, in encouraging, supporting, and
condoning the unlawful displacement of the Randolph Freedpeople; and

WHEREAS,
Slavery and the legal framework that supported it, including Ohio's
Black Laws, left a legacy of racial mistrust and prejudice that
continues to affect Ohioans to this day, including the descendants of
the Randolph Freedpeople, whose ancestors never received the justice
they deserved; and

WHEREAS,
The United States Congress has previously passed resolutions
apologizing for the enslavement and segregation of African Americans,
demonstrating how the recognition of wrongs committed in the past is
crucial for racial reconciliation and provides the opportunity to
reaffirm our commitment to a just future and a more perfect Union;
now therefore be it

RESOLVED,
That we, the members of the 136th General Assembly of the State of
Ohio, acknowledge, condemn, and apologize for the violent and
wrongful acts committed against the Randolph Freedpeople when they
were forced off their land; and be it further

RESOLVED,
That we recognize the Randolph Freedpeople's many valuable
contributions to the land they settled, our state, and our country,
and honor their perseverance, in the face of great adversity, to live
free; and be it further

RESOLVED,
That we reaffirm the commitment of the State of Ohio to treat all
persons with equal respect and fairness; and be it further

RESOLVED,
That the Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit duly
authenticated copies of this resolution to the news media of Ohio.