Instead, he turned attention toward Robeson County.

He misread the local terrain.

The Cross Burnings Before The Rally

In January 1958, cross burnings escalated fear and anger in Robeson County.

North Carolina historical sources describe crosses burned near two Lumbee families.

One target was connected to a Lumbee family that had moved into a predominantly white neighborhood.

Another was connected to a Lumbee woman said to have been in a relationship with a white man.

The exact personal circumstances mattered less than the message.

The Klan was claiming authority over where Lumbee people could live and whom they could associate with.

A burning cross was not simply an expression of opinion.