Research carried out by the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) has identified the lynchings of more than 4,000 African Americans in the South between the end of Reconstruction and World War II.  Thirty-three (33) of those lynchings occurred in Orange County, Florida, the most of any county in the Sunshine State, and the sixth largest number in the twelve (12) Southern states.

EJI has requested placement of a historical marker within Heritage Square, located outside of the Orange County Regional History Center, to memorialize the lynching of July Perry and the Ocoee massacre that occurred in 1920.  During the Ocoee massacre, Mr. Perry was arrested and taken to the Orange County Courthouse, which at the time was located just next to the grounds of what is now Heritage Square. He was pulled out of the building by an angry mob, dragged away and lynched.

In order to obtain approval for the placement of a marker at Heritage Square, EJI submitted a Monuments & Memorials application to the Families, Parks and Recreation Department for review and approval in accordance with City Policy and Procedure §211.4. The application has been considered and approved by the appropriate City Divisions, and reviewed by the Families, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, which has recommended approval by City Council.

As the property is owned by Orange County and operated by the City as a City recreational facility, the attached license agreement has been developed to memorialize the terms and conditions whereby the marker can be placed on the County’s property and within the City’s recreational facility.