Ida B. Wells began an anti-lynching campaign on March 9, 1892, following the Memphis lynching of her friends.
The date of March 9, 1892, marked a profound turning point in Ida B. Wells's activism. After the lynching of her friends Thomas Moss, Calvin McDowell, and Henry Stewart, Wells launched an intense anti-lynching campaign. Fueled by outrage and grief, she utilized her newspaper, the Memphis Free Speech, as a platform to denounce the brutality and call for boycotts of businesses that profited from these injustices. This effort not only amplified national awareness of the inhumane practice of lynching but also garnered international attention, making Wells a crucial figure in the early civil rights movement. Her editorial courage in confronting white supremacy laid foundational stones for ensuing anti-lynching legislation and activism, despite facing constant threats of violence.