The 1970 Augusta Riot Observance Committee wants to publicize an exciting new door that opened last summer: the Department of Justice is actively investigating the killings of Charles Oatman and the Augusta Six . Sponsored by the late Rep. John Lewis and fueled by the conviction that it is never too late to seek justice, the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act established the Cold Case Initiative to investigate unsolved killings from the Civil Rights era. Now, the focus of investigation is shifting to the late 1960s-early 1970s, seeking justice for Black victims of White violence at South Carolina State (1968), at Jackson State (1970), and in Augusta.

In the workings of the White-controlled legal system of 1970, all-White juries convicted two Black teenagers in Charles Oatman’s death and acquitted the one White police officer tried in the killings of the Augusta Six. The 1970 Riot Committee’s extensive research corroborates what the Black community of 1970 believed: that the real perpetrators were never held to account, that the judicial system failed to render justice. The DOJ’s new investigation offers the possibility that even at this late hour, some measure of justice can be done. We urge anyone with information on the killings of Charles Oatman and the Augusta Six to share what they know with the Department of Justice: Department of Justice; Civil Rights Division; 202-514-3847

The 1970 Augusta Riot Observance Committee strives to cultivate awareness, recovery, and justice for the community through education, conversation, and creative experiences.

Source: Black Panther Party/Gary Yanker, Prop Art (New York: Darien House, 1972):54

For more information on the Cold Case Initiative click here

For more information from the 1970 Augusta Riot Observance Committee, explore our website Facebook and Instagram or Contact us here

Join us for a commemorative virtual walking tour of some of the historic sites of the 1970 Augusta Riot.

The final site for our commemorative virtual walking tour is True Vine Baptist Church, where Charles Oatman’s funeral was held.

Join us for a commemorative virtual walking tour of some of the historic sites of the 1970 Augusta Riot.

The sixth site will be the intersection of 15th St and Poplar St, where one of the Augusta 6 was gunned down by law enforcement. As the sun rose that Wednesday, other victims would be found. Six unarmed Black men lost their lives and would be further assaulted by the media.

Join us for a commemorative virtual walking tour of some of the historic sites of the 1970 Augusta Riot.

The fifth site will be the intersection of Laney Walker BLVD and James Brown BLVD, one of the hot spots of activity.

Join us for a commemorative virtual walking tour of some of the historic sites of the 1970 Augusta Riot.

The fourth site will be the Municipal Building, where nearly 1000 Black citizens gathered outside as Black community leaders met with Sheriff Atkins and County Commission Chairman Matthew Mulherin.

Join us for a commemorative virtual walking tour of some of the historic sites of the 1970 Augusta Riot.

The second site will be the old county jail house where Charles Oatman was held and murdered. Approximately 400 members of the Black community would meet across the street at May Park to demand answers regarding what happened to Charles and how it could have happened.

Led by Deborah S. Blanchard, MS, LPC

“A story circle is a group of people sitting in a circle and sharing stories about their experience on a given topic or theme. The story circle may be used to build community within a group, to examine difference across lines of race or class, to explore social challenges that people are facing in their own lives, or for some other purpose.”   --excerpted from workingnarratives.org

At this story circle, we will bring factions together to all be heard. It is an opportunity to hear how the experience affected you and carried forth in your life.  There is not an opportunity to respond.  Just listening.

Hoped for participants would include the families of those killed in the Riot, those whose businesses were burned, those who were devoted to non-violent protest at the time, law-enforcement.