Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A celebration of the Biden’s administration’s designation of the Springfield race riot site as a national monument had a local lawmaker paraphrasing Charles Dickens.

“That day, that time, that period,” said State Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield), “was the best of Springfield and the worst of Springfield.”

Best? Turner was referring to the spirit and understanding of community on the part of the crew from the Black fire house in town, responding to the melee.

“You cannot capture the truth of Springfield’s existence without acknowledging the race riots of 1908,” said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.

The incident led to the creation of the NAACP.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) described a catalyst in the drive toward monument status for the site.

“The excavation for the new railroad station and the discovery of these burned-out homes were voices from the grave,” said Durbin, “people telling us, don’t forget us.”