Danville Massacre news story
*The Danville Massacre occurred on this date in 1883. Also known as the Danville Riot, it was a deadly assault on Blacks at a Danville, Virginia market, and continued for several days after, with violent attacks continuing until after the election.
The shooting took place during tensions between white supremacists and members of the Readjuster Party. Four Blacks and one white man were killed. A local investigation faulted the Blacks, and a U.S. Senate investigation faulted the white supremacists.
The industrial town of Danville, Virginia, grew rapidly in the late 19th century, attracting many single workers and associated gambling, drinking, and prostitution establishments. In 1882, the biracial Readjuster Party had gained control of the city council, causing resentment and even alarm among some white residents; even though white members still dominated the council, the city had a majority Black population.
The Readjuster Party had been in power at the state level since 1879. In the aftermath of the event, as many blacks were leaving Danville, the Democratic Party regained control at the state and local level, pushing out the biracial Readjuster Party. Democrats forced Blacks out of office and suppressed their voting rights.
