Controversy has erupted after progressive lawmakers claimed that “modern-day lynchings” are now common in the United States. The discussion gained traction on ‘The Big Weekend Show,’ where panelists debated the rhetoric used by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and 50 Democrats who called for a federal investigation into hanging deaths. While fears are stoked by activists, officials have determined that most of the 10 cited cases are suicides. Only one case in Mississippi is being investigated as a homicide.
An Ohio congresswoman faced major criticism after suggesting that lynchings are on the rise, a claim debunked by many. Rep. Shontel Brown, D-Ohio, stated, “In the last year, there’s been an alarming increase in Black Americans found dead hanging from trees. We know what that has meant throughout our history.” Brown joined Rep. Ayanna Pressley in demanding a federal investigation into potential lynchings. Pressley’s letter to the DOJ called for a comprehensive federal investigation into every hanging death of a Black individual across the country.
Last week, Pressley and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted about the letter on X, drawing criticism. Ocasio-Cortez referred to these incidents as “racial terror” and described them as “widespread modern-day lynchings.” One investigation into a March death in Georgia concluded the 21-year-old man was alone, with no foul play suspected. In North Carolina, police ruled a 16-year-old’s May death a suicide. In Florida, the Sheriff’s Department reached the same conclusion for a 27-year-old in June. At least three similar cases also ended with suicide rulings.
Tasia Fortune’s case is currently being investigated as a homicide, with suspect Jarques Ratliff arrested. Despite the findings, Brown continued to promote the idea of widespread hangings. In a video, Brown asserted, “For generations, trees were used as instruments of terror against Black Americans. Lynching intimidated communities, often going unpunished. When Black Americans are found hanging from trees today, under suspicious circumstances, we cannot look the other way.” This statement sparked widespread online condemnation.
Actor Dean Cain called Brown’s remarks “inventing racism” and “misleading.” A popular X user criticized the misleading claims, noting that most cases were suicides and the homicide suspect is Black. Podcaster Don Keith argued that Democrats stir up racial divides intentionally. References to the 2019 Jussie Smollett hate crime hoax surfaced, highlighting skepticism over such narratives.
Author Dan Friedman criticized Brown’s statements, emphasizing that most cases were suicides, with only one being a domestic violence murder, where the perpetrator was Black. “You cannot possibly believe that mobs of white racists are abducting Black men, hanging them from trees, and that law enforcement is covering it up,” Friedman noted, questioning the motives behind her claims.
Requests for comments from Brown’s office went unanswered.
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