Andrew Jackson Smitherman (December 1883 - June 1961) was an American lawyer, journalist, and civil rights activist.
Smitherman advocated self-reliance and resistance to the mob violence and lynchings African-Americans faced.
A. Robertson organized an interracial conference and invited Smitherman to be one of the African American leaders involved.
[6] In response to violence against African Americans, Smitherman argued for black communities to arm themselves and organize to prevent lynchings.
[4] Smitherman wrote in the Star that the lynching of Roy Belton, "explodes the theory that a prisoner is safe on the top of the Court House from mob violence.
"[4] When residents reacting to the arrest of Dick Rowland gathered at the offices of the Tulsa Star, Smitherson is alleged to have directed them to go to the courthouse, where violence initially broke out.