“American Coup: Wilmington 1898” Film Screening in Matthews

Bridge Builders Fellowship, Coming to the Table, PBS North Carolina, and Working Films are presenting a free screening of American Coup: Wilmington 1898 on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at 12:15 p.m., at Matthews United Methodist Church, 801 S Trade Street, Matthews, North Carolina.

Learn more about the event and register.

American Coup: Wilmington 1898 is a documentary that tells the little-known story of a deadly race massacre and carefully orchestrated insurrection in North Carolina’s largest city in 1898 — the only coup d’état in the history of the US.

American Coup: Wilmington 1898 shares the story of how self-described white supremacists used intimidation and violence to destroy Black political and economic power and overthrow Wilmington’s democratically-elected, multi-racial government. Black residents were murdered and thousands were banished. The story of what happened in Wilmington was suppressed for decades until descendants and scholars began to investigate. Today, many of those descendants — Black and white — seek the truth about this intentionally buried history.

At this free screening and discussion learn more about the massacre and coup, its place in U.S. history, and its lasting impact. Together, we can ensure that the lessons of Wilmington’s past inform conversations around democracy today.

 

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