“American Coup: Wilmington 1898 was co-produced by PBS North Carolina, American Experience, and 371 Productions. This film, produced and directed by our friend Yoruba Richen, who spoke during the SAAACAM panel discussion in November 2024 about the Green Book research, uncovers the untold story of the only successful coup d’état in U.S. history, when white supremacists overthrew Wilmington’s multiracial government in 1898.

This pivotal new documentary sheds light on a suppressed chapter in American history, exploring themes of racial violence, media suppression, and the enduring fight for democracy and equity. The key aspects of the Wilmington Coup were:

• Violence and Intimidation: White supremacists used a campaign of violence and intimidation to seize power.
• Overthrow of the Government: They forcibly removed the existing elected government and installed their own hand-picked officials.
• Destruction of Black-Owned Businesses: The destruction of a local Black-owned newspaper office, the Daily Record, was a significant part of the coup.
• Impact on the Black Community: The massacre and coup had a devastating impact on the Black community, leading to widespread fear, violence, and the forced expulsion of many Black residents.
• Suppression of Voting Rights: The coup paved the way for the complete disenfranchisement of Black voters through measures like the grandfather clause, further solidifying white supremacy.
• Repercussions: The event had far-reaching consequences, influencing the rise of Jim Crow laws and the broader context of racial inequality in the South

Immediately following the film, join us for the lively panel discussion. Brought to you in part by COSA Office of Historic Preservation.

ADMISSION IS FREE, BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!
The doors to The Little Carver open at 5:30pm, and the film begins at 6pm.