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In June 1919, during the era now known as the Red Summer, a Black man named John Hartfield returned home to Ellisville, Mississippi.
He was around 26 years old.
According to historical records, John Hartfield had been involved in a relationship with a white woman named Ruth Meeks. Soon afterward, false accusations spread through the community, and white mobs began hunting him across multiple counties. Newspapers openly announced that he would be lynched before it even happened.
On June 26, 1919, thousands gathered in Ellisville to witness his murder.
John Hartfield was denied a trial, denied due process, and denied his humanity.
He was lynched by a mob while local authorities failed to protect him. After his death, his body was mutilated, burned, and pieces of his remains were taken as souvenirs. Postcards commemorating the lynching were distributed.
Today, more than a century later, his descendants and community refuse to allow his story to be forgotten.
That is why we say:
#JusticeForJohn -
The John Hartfield Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history of racial terror violence in America, advancing public education about Red Summer 1919, and honoring the legacy of John Hartfield, whose lynching in Ellisville, Mississippi, became one of the most widely publicized acts of racial violence of the twentieth century.
Founded by his descendant, the Foundation works to transform historical truth into public understanding, remembrance, and action. Through education, memorialization, research, advocacy, and community engagement, the Foundation seeks to ensure that the victims of racial terror are neither forgotten nor erased from the American story.
Featured Videos
Marley Hendrix tells the story of John Hartfield.
Witness the moment Kym Hartfield learns the story of John Hartfield
#JusticeForJohnHartfield
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#JusticeForJohnHartfield ✳︎
John Hartfield was denied justice in life. For generations, his story — and the stories of countless others affected by racial terror violence — were buried in silence.
The John Hartfield Foundation exists to ensure that these lives are remembered, their stories are told truthfully, and their humanity is fully acknowledged.
Your donation directly supports our efforts to educate the public, preserve historical records, host remembrance events, and advocate for formal recognition and vindication of the victims of the Red Summer of 1919 by the State of Mississippi.
Supporters can also help by purchasing or pre-ordering an official #JusticeForJohnHartfield t-shirt, with proceeds directly benefiting the Foundation’s educational and advocacy initiatives.
Help us transform remembrance into action.
#JusticeForJohnHartfield
