The 136th General Assembly of Ohio has introduced a concurrent resolution to acknowledge, condemn, and apologize for the wrongful displacement of the Randolph Freedpeople, a group of 383 individuals who were freed from slavery by Virginia slaveholder John Randolph's will in 1833. After a lengthy legal battle, they began their journey to Ohio in 1846, where they intended to settle on land purchased for them. However, upon their arrival, they faced violent resistance from local community leaders and an armed mob, which forced them to abandon their rightful settlement and start anew in western Ohio. Despite their significant contributions to the state, the Ohio government failed to protect them or intervene on their behalf, and the state’s discriminatory "Black Laws" further marginalized African Americans during that period.

The resolution expresses regret for the injustices faced by the Randolph Freedpeople and recognizes their resilience and contributions to Ohio and the nation. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging historical wrongs as a step toward racial reconciliation and reaffirms Ohio's commitment to treating all individuals with respect and fairness. The resolution calls for the transmission of authenticated copies to the media to ensure public awareness of this acknowledgment and apology.