Memphis Riots

In 1866 in Memphis Tennessee, riots broke out due to racial tension following the Civil War. The rioting included murders, raping, assaults, and destruction of property. A scuffle broke out the day before between black people and police that led to a man accidentally shooting himself in the leg. The following day a mob of white people stormed into black neighborhoods torching houses, churches, and businesses. Due to an inadequate police response much of the riots were uncontested and uninterrupted. Along with the white people indiscriminately attacking black people many people were seriously hurt or killed during the riots. A total of 48 people were killed, 46 of them being black and 2 being white. Nearly 100 people robbed, 5 black women were raped, 89 black homes were during along with 4 black churches and 12 black schools. It is the worst riot in Memphis history,

https://www.memphis.edu/memphis-massacreMemphis Riot, 1866 •

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