Detroit Riot of 1967

Detroit Riot of 1967
Phil Cherner (email: phil@philcherner.com ; website: www.philcherner.com). · CC BY-SA 2.5 · source
Name	Detroit Riot of 1967
Date	July 23 – 27, 1967
Place	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Caused by	Racial segregation, Police brutality, Economic inequality
Methods	Rioting, Looting, Arson
Result	43 deaths, over 1,000 injuries, 7,000 arrests

Detroit Riot of 1967

The Detroit Riot of 1967, also known as the 12th Street riot, was a violent civil disturbance that occurred in Detroit, Michigan, in July 1967. It was one of the deadliest and most destructive riots in the history of the United States, and it played a significant role in the US Civil Rights Movement. The riot was sparked by a police raid on an after-hours bar and escalated into a city-wide disturbance, involving looting, arson, and violence against African Americans and law enforcement. The Detroit Riot of 1967 is often seen as a culmination of the social and economic tensions that had been building in the city for decades, and it had a profound impact on the civil rights movement and the city of Detroit.

● Introduction to

the Detroit Riot of 1967 The Detroit Riot of 1967 began on July 23, 1967, when Detroit Police Department officers raided an after-hours bar on 12th Street in the midst of a party for two returning Vietnam War veterans. The police arrested all 85 people in attendance, which sparked a crowd of onlookers to gather outside the bar and protest the police action. The situation quickly escalated into a riot, with rock throwing, looting, and arson spreading throughout the city. The riot lasted for five days, resulting in 43 deaths, over 1,000 injuries, and 7,000 arrests. The riot also destroyed large portions of the city, with over 2,000 buildings burned or damaged. The Detroit Riot of 1967 was a major turning point in the US Civil Rights Movement, as it highlighted the deep-seated racial tensions and economic inequality that existed in many American cities. The riot also led to a significant increase in community organizing and social activism in Detroit, with many organizations, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), working to address the underlying issues that led to the riot.

● Causes and Underlying Tensions

The Detroit Riot of 1967 was the result of a combination of factors, including racial segregation, police brutality, and economic inequality. Detroit was a city with a long history of racial tension, dating back to the Great Migration of African Americans from the Southern United States in the early 20th century. The city's automotive industry had attracted many African American workers, but they faced significant discrimination and segregation in the city's housing and employment markets. The Detroit Police Department was also notorious for its brutality and racism, with many African American residents reporting instances of police harassment and abuse. The city's economic inequality was also a major factor, with many African American residents living in poverty and facing significant barriers to education and job opportunities. The Kerner Commission, established by President Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the riot, identified these underlying tensions as the primary causes of the riot. The commission's report, which was released in 1968, concluded that the riot was the result of a combination of factors, including racism, poverty, and police brutality.

● The Riot and

Its Aftermath The Detroit Riot of 1967 was a violent and destructive event that had a profound impact on the city and its residents. The riot began on July 23, 1967, and lasted for five days, with looting, arson, and violence spreading throughout the city. The Michigan National Guard and US Army were deployed to the city to quell the riot, but their presence only seemed to escalate the situation. The riot resulted in 43 deaths, over 1,000 injuries, and 7,000 arrests, with many more people displaced from their homes. The riot also destroyed large portions of the city, with over 2,000 buildings burned or damaged. The aftermath of the riot was marked by a significant increase in community organizing and social activism in Detroit, with many organizations working to address the underlying issues that led to the riot. The Detroit Urban League, the NAACP, and other organizations played a key role in advocating for civil rights and social justice in the city.

● Social and Economic Impact on

Detroit The Detroit Riot of 1967 had a profound impact on the city of Detroit, both socially and economically. The riot led to a significant decline in the city's population and economy, as many residents and businesses left the city in the aftermath of the riot. The city's automotive industry, which had been the backbone of the local economy, began to decline in the years following the riot, leading to widespread unemployment and poverty. The riot also led to a significant increase in segregation and racial tension in the city, with many African American residents feeling that the city's government and police department were not responsive to their needs. The Detroit Public Schools system was also severely impacted by the riot, with many schools closing or experiencing significant declines in enrollment. The riot also had a profound impact on the city's housing market, with many African American residents facing significant barriers to home ownership and affordable housing. The Fair Housing Act of 1968, which was passed in the aftermath of the riot, was designed to address these issues and provide greater protections for African American homeowners.

● Connection to

the US Civil Rights Movement The Detroit Riot of 1967 was a significant event in the US Civil Rights Movement, as it highlighted the deep-seated racial tensions and economic inequality that existed in many American cities. The riot was one of several major riots that occurred in the 1960s, including the Watts Riot in Los Angeles and the Newark Riot in New Jersey. These riots, along with the Birmingham Campaign and the Selma to Montgomery Marches, were key events in the civil rights movement, as they drew attention to the racism and inequality faced by African Americans in the United States. The Detroit Riot of 1967 also led to a significant increase in community organizing and social activism in Detroit, with many organizations, such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), working to address the underlying issues that led to the riot. The riot also played a role in the development of the Black Power movement, with many African American leaders, such as Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X, advocating for greater self-defense and community empowerment.

● Government Response and Investigations

The government response to the Detroit Riot of 1967 was significant, with both the state and federal government playing a role in responding to the riot. The Michigan National Guard and US Army were deployed to the city to quell the riot, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was involved in investigating the causes of the riot. The Kerner Commission, which was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson to investigate the riot, released a report in 1968 that identified the underlying causes of the riot and made recommendations for addressing them. The commission's report concluded that the riot was the result of a combination of factors, including racism, poverty, and police brutality, and recommended a range of policies to address these issues, including increased funding for social programs and community development initiatives. The US Department of Justice also played a role in responding to the riot, with Attorney General Ramsey Clark advocating for greater protections for civil rights and social justice.

● Legacy and Reforms

The Detroit Riot of 1967 had a lasting impact on the city of Detroit and the US Civil Rights Movement. The riot led to a significant increase in community organizing and social activism in Detroit, with many organizations working to address the underlying issues that led to the riot. The riot also led to a range of reforms, including the establishment of the Detroit Police Department's community policing program and the creation of the Detroit Human Rights Commission. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 were also passed in the aftermath of the riot, providing greater protections for African American homeowners and civil rights activists. The riot also played a role in the development of the Black Power movement, with many African American leaders advocating for greater self-defense and community empowerment. Today, the Detroit Riot of 1967 is remembered as a significant event in the US Civil Rights Movement, and it continues to serve as a reminder of the importance of addressing racial tensions and economic inequality in American cities. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and the Detroit Historical Museum both have exhibits on the riot, and it is commemorated annually by the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan. Category:Riots and civil unrest in the United States Category:US Civil Rights Movement Category:Detroit Category:1967 Category:African American history Category:American history