 The Helena-West Helena, AR Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Phillips County.From September 30-October 1, 1919 during the Elaine race riot in Phillips County, 237 African Americans were killed, attacked at large by armed whites trying to suppress the Progressive Farmers and Household Union of America which was organizing in the county.Because the white mob actions were racial terrorism against African Americans, the deaths were classified as lynchings by the Equal Justice Initiative in its 2015 report on lynchings in the South.