@galatoonsafrica: The Civil War was over. Slavery had been abolished. But when Black Americans demanded political power, violence followed. On July 30, 1866, a constitutional convention met at the Mechanics’ Institute in New Orleans. Its supporters wanted changes that included giving Black men the vote. Around 200 unarmed Black supporters—many of them Union veterans—marched toward the building. Then violence erupted. New Orleans police, backed by armed white civilians and former Confederates, attacked the gathering. Black men were shot in the streets. Others fled into the Mechanics’ Institute. Even people attempting to surrender were attacked. Federal officials later described what happened as an “absolute massacre.” Thirty-four Black supporters were killed and 119 wounded. Three convention delegates were also killed. The violence shocked the North and became part of the national struggle over Reconstruction and Black citizenship. Slavery had ended. The battle over whether Black Americans would actually possess the rights of free citizens had not. #NewOrleansMassacre #Reconstruction #BlackHistory #VotingRights #LouisianaHistory

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Thursday 01 October 2026 08:30:33 GMT