Colfax Massacre, 1873


Untold Stories Collection


The Colfax Massacre of 1873, also known as the Colfax Riot, was a deadly incident of racial violence that occurred in Colfax, Louisiana, during the era of Reconstruction in the United States. It was one of the most notorious and violent acts of political and racial terrorism during this period.

The conflict began in the context of political tensions and disputes over the results of the 1872 gubernatorial election in Louisiana, which had significant racial and political divisions. In Colfax, a group of white supremacists, including members of the white supremacist paramilitary organization known as the White League, attacked the local courthouse, where a group of African American and white Republican defenders were entrenched.

The attackers overwhelmed the defenders, leading to a brutal massacre. Estimates of the death toll vary, but it is believed that at least 105 Black men, and possibly more, were killed, while three white attackers also died in the violence. The Colfax Massacre represented a brutal and intentional effort to suppress the political power of African Americans and intimidate them into submission.

The legal aftermath of the Colfax Massacre was equally significant. In the subsequent trials, many of the white perpetrators were acquitted, highlighting the failure of the federal government to effectively enforce the civil rights of African Americans during Reconstruction.

The Colfax Massacre and its legal aftermath underscored the challenges faced by African Americans as they sought to assert their rights during the Reconstruction era and the enduring legacy of racial violence and discrimination in the United States.

Ephraim Urevbu

Colfax Massacre 1873
Acrylic and mixed media on board
24 x 24 in (60.9 x 60.9 cm)

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