One of the last known survivors of the Tulsa race massacre of 1921, Hughes Van Ellis, has passed away at the age of 102, his family confirmed in a statement. Ellis, an outspoken activist for reparations over the deadly act of racial violence, died from cancer on Monday night in Denver, Colorado. He was among the few remaining Black Tulsans who lived through the massacre that took place in the Greenwood neighborhood, also known as Black Wall Street.

The Tulsa race massacre, one of the deadliest acts of racial violence in U.S. history, occurred when white residents burned down the predominantly African American neighborhood of Greenwood. As many as 300 people, most of them Black, were killed during the attack, which involved drive-by shootings, arson, and physical assaults on Black residents. Ellis, who was just an infant at the time, and his older sister fled with their family to escape the violence.

Ellis, along with his 109-year-old sister Viola Fletcher and another survivor, Leslie Benningfield Randle, filed a lawsuit against the city of Tulsa, seeking reparations for the descendants of the massacre victims. They demanded a 99-year tax holiday for the affected residents. However, their lawsuit was dismissed by an Oklahoma judge in July. Despite this setback, their lawyers have appealed to the state's supreme court in hopes of obtaining justice.

The massacre itself was sparked by an incident where a white woman accused a Black man of assaulting her in an elevator. Following the arrest of the accused man, a white mob gathered outside the courthouse, demanding he be handed over. A confrontation between a white man and a Black World War One veteran resulted in a gunshot, igniting the violence that devastated 35 blocks of Greenwood.

Hughes Van Ellis, affectionately known as "Uncle Redd," was a World War II veteran and had become one of the last living witnesses to the Tulsa Race Massacre. His death comes as a significant loss to the fight for justice and accountability for the victims and survivors of the horrific event. Just two days before his passing, Ellis emphasized the importance of continuing the battle for justice and unity.

Ellis's sister, Viola Ford Fletcher, who is 109 years old, and Lessie Benningfield Randle, who is 108, are the remaining survivors of the massacre. They recently shared their experiences in an interview with Gayle King on "CBS Mornings," reflecting on the harrowing events that took place 100 years ago. Both Fletcher and Randle expressed their love for the thriving community that was erased by the violence, emphasizing the importance of remembering and acknowledging the tragedy.

The survivors and their families, along with other descendants of the massacre victims, filed a lawsuit against the city of Tulsa, holding them responsible for the destruction and disparities that resulted from the massacre. The case was initially dismissed by a lower court, but in August, the Oklahoma Supreme Court agreed to consider the reparations case.

In an effort to identify more victims of the massacre, investigators exhumed seven bodies from graves that matched descriptions of massacre victim burials. The bodies, found in simple wooden boxes, are currently undergoing DNA testing to determine if they have any connection to the victims of the massacre. Descendants of the victims have provided DNA samples to assist in the identification process.

The passing of Hughes Van Ellis serves as a solemn reminder of the lasting impact of the Tulsa race massacre. As the fight for reparations and justice continues, the surviving victims and their families hope to honor the memory of those who lost their lives and rebuild the legacy of the Greenwood community.