Participants In Courthouse Vigil Recognize Lynching Victims

About 100 people turned out on the front lawn of the Oconee County Courthouse in Watkinsville on Monday to join in recitation of a poem, explain why they had chosen to participate in the vigil, and read aloud the names of the eight victims of vigilante violence near that site 115 years ago.

About half of those present then proceeded funeral-style to a recently discovered grave of one of those victims, where they added soil and flowers and told personal stories about their experiences with race in this country.

Early in the event, organizer John Cole Vodicka of Athens told the group why he had taken the initiative to bring people together.

“This vigil in Watkinsville will lift up these victims of mob violence and allow us to speak truthfully about this difficult racist history that, unless brought to light, will remain overcome by the darkness,” Vodicka said.

“I came here because I feel like I’m a part of this,” one of those who followed Vodicka said. He said he grew up in this community, but the event had not been openly discussed in the past.

“I’m here because I want to recognize and show respect for the people who had no respect and who died unknown and I want to help remember their names,” another person said.

For more on the story, with a video of the vigil and visit to the cemetery, please go to Oconee County Observations.