On July 15, 1931, a white mob raided a meeting of the Alabama Sharecroppers' Union which was being held in a church in Camp Hill. A shootout between the mob and union members followed; SCU member Ralph Gray was murdered, several men and women were injured, and at least thirty black men were later arrested while at least four others were lynched. According to African American labor leader Hosea Hudson, all those arrested were eventually released without trial due to public and international pressure—albeit too late to have a chance at raising a crop that year.

Today, the per capita income for the town is $12,627 and 38% of the population live below the poverty line, including 55% of those under age 18.


+++++