ORLANDO, Fla. — Almost 100 years after July Perry was lynched by a white mob after a friend tried to vote, a historical marker was unveiled in downtown Orlando to honor him and dozens of other victims of one of the nation's worst massacres of African-Americans.
Officials unveiled the historical marker during a ceremony Friday morning.
The 1920 massacre began when Perry's friend, Mose Norman, a prosperous black farmer, tried to vote in Ocoee but was turned away.
A mob of white men surrounded Perry's home, believing Norman had taken refuge there. Perry killed two men while defending his house with a shotgun.
Perry was lynched, and the mob laid siege to the black section of Ocoee, killing dozens of people.
Opposite side of #julyperrymarker #heritagesquare pic.twitter.com/9Zr6ybknZi
— The History Center (@HistoryCenterFL) June 21, 2019
This morning at Heritage Square, the Truth and Justice Center of Orange County unveiled a historical marker in honor of July Perry. An important story and piece of history now on display in downtown Orlando. pic.twitter.com/wxTZgop6qO
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) June 21, 2019
DOWNLOAD: Free WFTV News & Weather Apps
Not near a TV? Click here to watch WFTV newscasts live
Associated Press
