US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that the events of the Tulsa Race Massacre have been spoken about in silence for a long and noted that he was the first President to come to Tulsa in a century.

“The events we speak of today took place 100 years ago, and yet I’m the first president in 100 years ever to come to Tulsa,” Biden said, while delivering remarks on the 100th anniversary of Tulsa Race Massacre.

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“I say that not as a compliment about me, but to think about it. Hundred years and the first president to be here during that entire time, and in this place, in this ground to acknowledge the truth of what took place here,” he said.

Biden also asked those in attendance to observe a moment of silence for the victims of one of the worst incidents of violence based on a racist notion. He said, “They deserve the dignity and they deserve our respect. May their souls rest in peace.”

Biden also spoke about the threat to the country and White supremacy and labeled it as “the most lethal threat to the homeland today” while citing the US’ intelligence community, reported CNN.

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Lasting around 24 hours and claiming as many as 300 lives, the Massacre of 1921 is infamous for causing havoc to Oklahoma’s Tulsa.

Before addressing the country, the President walked around the Greenwood Cultural Center in the city and met a few survivors of the deadly incidents, which unfolded a century ago. These included Hughes Van Ellis, Viola Fletcher and Lessie Benningfield Randle, reported CNN.