Ocoee massacre facts for kids

The Ocoee massacre was a terrible event where a large group of white people attacked African American residents in Ocoee, Florida. This happened on November 2, 1920, the same day people were voting for the U.S. president. Many Black people were killed, and their homes were burned.

Most people believe that 30 to 35 Black people died. Many homes and businesses owned by African Americans in northern Ocoee were completely destroyed by fire. Other African Americans living in southern Ocoee were forced to leave. Because of this, Ocoee became a "sundown town", meaning Black people were not allowed to live there. This event is sometimes called the "single bloodiest day in modern American political history."

The main reason for the attack was to stop Black citizens from voting. At this time, many Black people in Florida were already prevented from voting. In Ocoee and other parts of Florida, Black groups had been working for a year to help people register to vote.

What Happened in Ocoee?

Election Day Trouble

In November 1920, Mose Norman, a successful African American farmer, tried to vote. But he was turned away twice on Election Day. Norman was one of the people helping others register to vote.

A group of white people surrounded the home of Julius "July" Perry. They thought Norman was hiding there. Perry fired shots, protecting his home. He killed two men and wounded another who tried to break in.

The Mob's Attack

After this, the white group called for more people from Orlando and Orange County. This larger group then attacked the African American community in northern Ocoee. They destroyed homes and buildings.

Eventually, they killed July Perry. They took his body to Orlando and displayed it in a cruel way to scare other Black people. Mose Norman managed to escape and was never found again. Hundreds of other African Americans quickly left Ocoee, leaving behind everything they owned.

A Hidden History

For a long time, many people living in Ocoee did not know about this event. Pamela Schwartz, from the Orange County Regional History Center, said that even descendants of the survivors were often unaware. The History Center later created an exhibit to share the story.

Life After the Attack

Forced to Leave

African American residents in southern Ocoee were not directly attacked during the massacre. However, they were later threatened and forced to leave. Annie Hamiter, a Black woman from southern Ocoee, believed the attack was planned. She thought it was a way for white people to take the property of successful African Americans for free.

According to Hamiter, people were told they would be shot or their homes burned if they did not "sell out and leave." About 500 African Americans were quickly driven out of Ocoee. This made the town almost entirely white. White residents then had to pick the citrus crops because the Black workers had fled. No African American residents lived in Ocoee again until 1981.

No Justice

July Perry's body was left with a hateful message nearby. A local photographer even sold pictures of his body. No one was ever punished for his murder. Perry's wife, Estelle, and their daughter were hurt during the shooting at their home. They survived and were sent away for treatment to avoid more trouble.

Walter White from the NAACP came to Orange County to investigate. He pretended to be a white man interested in buying land. He found that the white people there were "still giddy with victory." Some locals told him that about 56 African Americans were killed. White's NAACP report estimated around 30 deaths. Other reports varied, but the exact number was never known. White also learned that many Black residents thought the attack happened because white people were jealous of successful Black people like Norman and Perry.

No one was ever held responsible for the violence. Government agents arrived later, but they only investigated election fraud, not the murders or fires. The leader of the mob later became the mayor of Ocoee. Efforts to get the U.S. Congress to investigate the voter suppression failed.

Remembering the Ocoee Massacre

Over the years, people have worked to remember and understand the Ocoee massacre.

• In 1969, Lester Dabbs, who later became Ocoee's mayor, wrote his master's paper about the event.
• In the 1990s, local groups held discussions to explore what happened and honor the victims.
• On Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2010, Ocoee held a special event. Professor Paul Ortiz, who wrote a book about the massacre, was a main speaker.
• In 2019, a historical marker honoring July Perry was placed in Heritage Square outside the Orange County Regional History Center.
• The Peace and Justice Institute at Valencia College held workshops in 2018. These workshops used old records and personal stories to shed light on the massacre.
• In 2018, the city of Ocoee officially recognized the massacre. They are also working on a formal apology to the victims' families.
• Florida now requires that the Ocoee Election Day massacre be taught in schools. Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law in 2020 to make sure this history is included.
• In October 2020, the Orange County Regional History Center opened a major exhibit called "Yesterday, This Was Home: The Ocoee Massacre of 1920." It included new research and stories from families.
• On November 2, 2020, 100 years after the massacre, Governor Ron DeSantis declared it "Ocoee Massacre Remembrance Day."

In Movies and Shows

• A documentary film called Go Ahead On, Ocoee was made in 2002.
• In 2020, a short series about the massacre was posted on YouTube.
• On November 1, 2020, a documentary about the Ocoee Massacre was shown on TV in Orlando. It was later available on streaming services.