Laurens County, Georgia race riot of 1919 facts for kids
| Part of Red Summer | |
News Coverage of the Laurens Race Riot 1919
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| Date | August 27-29, 1919 |
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| Location | Laurens County, Georgia, United States |
| Deaths | 1 killed |
The Laurens County, Georgia race riot was a series of attacks on the Black community by white mobs. These events happened in August 1919. This time was known as the Red Summer because of many similar events across the United States.
What Happened in Laurens County?
In the summer of 1919, there was a lot of tension in Laurens County, Georgia. People were worried after another event in nearby Dublin, Georgia. Rumors spread that a Black leader was planning to "rise up" against white people. This made some white residents very concerned.
The Events of the Riot
On Wednesday, August 27, 1919, a Black man was attacked and killed. He was taken from Cadwell, Georgia to Ocmulgee, Georgia, where he died. People believed he was chosen because he was seen as a leader in the local Black community.
Two days later, on Friday, August 29, several buildings belonging to the Black community were burned down. Three Black churches and one community building were destroyed by fire. A body was later found in the ashes of a church in Ocmulgee. Some believed it was Eli Cooper, who had reportedly said that things would change for Black people. This statement was seen by some white residents as a call for a violent uprising.
After the Riot
After the events, four men were arrested. They were C.G. Rogers, C.C. Adwell, John Quillian, and Will Watson. These men were later found not guilty of the charges.
This riot was part of a larger period of unrest in the United States. This time is known as the Red Summer of 1919. During this summer, white mobs attacked African American neighborhoods in many cities and counties. In some places, like Chicago and Washington D.C., Black community groups fought back.
Many people died during these events. For example, the Elaine Race Riot in Arkansas led to the deaths of many Black people. Other major events included the Chicago Race Riot and the Washington D.C. race riot. These events caused many injuries and a lot of property damage.
