In 1868, 33 Black politicians were elected into Georgia's state assembly – some of America’s first ever Black state legislators. Furious, white legislators rejected the new Black leaders, sometimes by literally locking them out of State houses.
But one legislator, Philip Joiner, refused their dismissal and planned to address the issue at a political rally. With 300 men, Joiner marched towards Camilla, GA, where the rally would take place – a march that would end in bloodshed.
Upon arrival, Joiner was stopped by Camilla’s sheriff. When Joiner wouldn’t surrender, the sheriff ordered Camilla’s residents to SHOOT the marchers!
They ran for cover, but many didn’t make it.
Luckily, Joiner survived and reported the massacre to the Freedman’s Bureau, who spread word about the massacre. Sadly, its legacy was used to intimidate voters, with white Southerners threatening to kill Black voters in upcoming elections.
Eventually, the massacre was buried in Georgia's history until 1998, when Camilla’s leadership publicly acknowledged it – but this was performative! Camilla was still VERY segregated.
In 2015, Camilla’s City Council refused to give their Black mayor, Rufus Davis, keys to City Hall – for two years! Davis responded by boycotting City Council meetings.
Voter intimidation still exists in Georgia and elsewhere – as leaders like Stacey Abrams have reminded us. Though voting isn’t the only aspect of our fight, this history reminds us that it IS important!