The Lynching of Zachariah Walker

The Lynching of Zachariah Walker is a Pennsylvania historical marker in Chester County, dedicated 2006.

Chester County · dedicated 2006 · Doe Run Rd. (Rt. 82S), approx. 1/4 mile from Coatesville city limits (at Phila. Power Plant access g

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An African American steelworker, Walker was burned to death by a mob near here on August 13, 1911. He was accused of killing Edgar Rice, a white security guard and former borough policeman. Fifteen local men and teenage boys were indicted for their involvement in Walker's death but were acquitted of all charges. Nation-wide outrage led to the NAACP's national anti-lynching campaign and inspired Pennsylvania's 1923 anti-lynching law.

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Marker data: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission via data.pa.gov

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