Elizabeth Lawrence

Elizabeth Lawrence (died June or July 1933 in Jefferson County) was said to be a school teacher who was murdered by a lynch mob at her home, "about five miles from Birmingham."

According to a report made by her son, Alexander, Lawrence was walking along a road in late June 1933 when a group of white children began taunting her, and throwing rocks and handfuls of dirt. She "scolded them severely", but did not raise a hand.

Soon later, a mob of white adults gathered outside her house. Someone shot her and set her house on fire. She died in the flames. Alexander was not present at the time of the murder. When he saw what had happened he made an attempt to file a report with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. He, in turn, was confronted by a mob who threatened his life. He fled to Boston, Massachusetts and reported the lynching of his mother from there to the International Labor Defense. They began an investigation of the incident from their Birmingham office, but no one was ever charged with a crime relating to Lawrence's death.

References

• "Negro Boy Tells of Lynching of Mother" (July 22, 1933) The Omaha Guide
• Blue, Tammy (February 28, 2019) "Elizabeth Lawrence, July 5, 1933, Birmingham" BirminghamWatch

External links

• 30 Victims at jeffersoncountymemorial.com