In July 1931, Arthur Lee, his wife Edith, and their daughter Mary moved into their newly-purchased home at 4600 Columbus Ave. in south Minneapolis. They were among the first African-American families to purchase a home south of 38th St.
Sadly, approximately 3,000 white residents from the neighborhood and the city held racial demonstrations against the Lee family for several nights that July, to try to force the family out of their home. Some of the mob threw stones at the house, defaced the home with black paint, and shouted threats at the family. Supported by friends, co-workers, and attorney Lena Olive Smith, the family was able to live in the home for more than a year.
Read more about the Lee Family and the July 16th Commemorative Event here.