What happened here was not a riot.

It was resistance.
A stand against injustice.

It reshaped this city
And helped ignite the Civil Rights Movement.

For decades, much of what happened here was pushed into the shadows.

Nearly 80 years later, we are bringing it into the light.

Front page of the 1945 Cleveland city edition Weekly newspaper, featuring headlines about a NAACP rally, Tennessee riot defense, and black community issues, with photos of a crowd and a rural scene.

In February 1946,
Columbia faced a reckoning.

Headline about police and civilians in Maury race clash, with photo of police and civilians, and various article snippets.
Newspaper headline: 'Marathon Court Run By NAACP'.
Newspaper article discussing the state's attempt to devalue previous testimony of African American witnesses in Maury County, mentioning plans for counter-active testimony and legal proceedings.
A page from a 1960s newspaper featuring headlines about the Tennessee lynching trial and political news, with smaller articles and advertisements.
A newspaper article titled "Riot Prisoners Released on Bond" featuring a photo of MRONT OJIKE, a recognized African author and director. There is also an illustration of a man with the caption "JERIS keeps hair handsome," and a small drawing of a jar labeled "JERIS."
A newspaper headline titled 'NAACP Attorneys Claim Police Tried Gestapo Tactics, Ask Federal Probe,' reporting on legal actions against Nashville police involving NAACP lawyers and arrests during 1950s protests, with detailed text about the incident and involved attorneys.
A vintage newspaper headline about a federal jury investigation into the Columbia riot in Nashville on March 25, 1960, mentioning U.S. District Judge Ermer Davis and U.S. Attorney General Tom Clark.
A black-and-white newspaper front page with the headline "Court Bans Use Of Church Funds." The date is November 23, 1946, and the newspaper is the "Journal and Guide." The page contains multiple articles, with a photo of three men in suits on the right side.
Historical newspaper clipping with the headline, '28 Maury Negroes Must Go On Trial,' about the trial and charges of racial discrimination against 28 Black men in Maury County, Tennessee, in 1947.
A newspaper headline about a riot at Columbia, with people talking to police outside.
Headline and text of a newspaper article about a legal case involving alleged discrimination between Black and white teachers in Nashville City schools, with details of the trial, witnesses, and involved attorneys.
A historical black and white photograph of men gathered outside a courthouse during the Tennessee riot trial, with a caption describing the event and the individuals present.

Coming Soon: A place to explore the events of The Columbia Riot of 1946.

Why CPJI is Telling This Story

The events of 1946 changed Columbia and helped shape the fight for civil rights in this country, yet much of what happened here has remained out of view for generations.

At Columbia Peace & Justice Initiative, our work is rooted in truth-telling, remembrance, and the belief that communities grow stronger when they face their past with honesty. By sharing this history, we seek to honor those who endured injustice, recognize the courage shown in the face of it, and help create a more just and connected future.

Learn More About CPJI
Thurgood Marshall Statue

Get notified when the site is live