New Orleans Riot - The Riot

The Riot

The convention met at noon on July 30, but because there was a lack of a quorum there was a recess until 1:30. When the convention members left the building they were met by the black marchers led by a marching band. On the corner of Common and Dryades streets across from the mechanics institute there was a group of armed whites standing and waiting for the black marchers. This group was full of radical Democratic anti-abolitionists and ex-confederates who wished to disrupt the convention in order to dispel the growing power of blacks within the state. It is not known which group fired first but within minutes there was a battle in the streets. The black marchers, unprepared for a fight, dispersed with many seeking refuge within the mechanics institute. The white mob outside brutally attacked the marchers. The riot was soon suppressed and many of the white agitators were thrown in jail. The city was declared under martial law until August 2.