"The Robert Charles Riots"(July 23,1900)

The riots began when whites in New Orleans became infuriated after Robert Charles,an African American,shot several white police officers on July 23,1900.A manhut for Robert began after he fled after an altercation with New Orleans police officers.The race riots lasted over four days and claimed 28 casualities.Including Robert.
Robert came to New Orleans from Mississippi and was a self-educated articulate activist.he believed in self-defense for the African American community and encouraged African-Americans in the United States to move to Liberia to escape racial discrimination.On the night of July 23,1900 three white police officers,Sergeant Jules C.Aucion,Joseph D.Cantrelle,& August T.Mora,found Robert and roommate,Leonard Pierce,sitting on a porch in a predominantly white neighborhood.After some police harassment,Robert &Augusta drew their guns and exchanged shots.Although neither was killed Robert fled to his residence for refuge.Later in the evening,the police interrogated Leonard to determine the location of Robert's house.Upon the policemen's arrival at his house,Robert fired his rifle in their direction,killing two officers,including the chief,Captain Day.While the rest of the officers sought cover,Robert fled the scene,leading to a police manhunt.The next day,a crowd of  white New Orleans residents gathered at the location where the policemen were killed and called for the lynching of Robert.Numerous events of lawnlessness and civic unrest.Also some African-American provided assistance to Robert while others were sympathetic because of the growing voting and civil rights restrictions in the the city long long known for its racial tolerance.On July 27,the police and white vigilantes surrounded another house where Robert had taken refuge.An ensuing shooyout occurred throughout the daybetween the men outside and Robert,who returned the fire.Then police then decided to set the building on fire.As he attempted to escape the smoked-filled building,Charles Noiret-a Tulane University medical student who was assisting the police-shot and killed Robert.In anger,the mob of bystanders continued to beat and fire their guns at Robert's body.
By weeks end,Robert had shot a total of 27,whites,killing seven,including four police officers.The rioting ended when New Orleans Mayor Paul Capdeville deputized 1,500 special police and asked for assistance from the state militia.