On June 16, 1822, a massive slave rebellion organized by Denmark Vesey was uncovered and violently suppressed before it could begin in Charleston, South Carolina.
Vesey, formerly enslaved, had won a lottery in 1799 that allowed him to purchase his freedom for $600. But his wife and children remained in bondage—fueling his determination to destroy the institution of slavery.
A founder of Emanuel AME Church, Vesey was angered by white raids on Black churches and constant surveillance. Alongside fellow church leaders, he plotted an uprising originally scheduled for July 14—Bastille Day—but moved the date up to June 16 as suspicions mounted. Their plan: to kill white enslavers and set fire to the city.
But word of the conspiracy leaked, and officials acted swiftly. Vesey and 34 others were captured, tried and hanged for daring to fight for Black freedom.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.
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