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Sources:
Fox, Guardian of Boston p. 49-52
Photo: "Columbus Avenue AME Zion Church" on South-End-Boston.com (URL)
On July 30, 1903, Booker T. Washington came to Boston to speak before the local branch of the National Negro Business League. Trotter had prepared a set of nine questions for Washington, calling him out several fronts regarding his racial advocacy and status as the de-facto spokesperson for the entire race. The plan was for Trotter to shout them out in protest as Washington spoke; however, the event degenerated into a free-for-all just as Washington came onstage. Trotter and two of his followers were arrested for their alleged agitation, and the event—dubbed the Boston Riot—gained infamy as Black newspapers published stories on it in the following days and weeks.