The riot featured on the cover of the August 4, 1967 edition of Time magazine.

The 12th Street Riot in Detroit began in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 23, 1967. Vice squad officers executed a raid at a blind pig on the corner of 12th Street and Clairmount on the city's near westside. The confrontation with the patrons there evolved into one of the deadliest and most destructive riots in modern U.S. history, lasting five days and far surpassing the 1943 riot the city endured. Before the end, the state and federal governments, under order of then President Lyndon B. Johnson, sent in National Guard and U.S. Army troops and the result was forty-three dead, 467 injured, over 7,200 arrests and more than 2,000 buildings burned down. The scope of the riot was eclipsed in scale only by the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Detroit has never fully recovered from the after-effects of the riot and the negative domestic and international media coverage. internationally. The riot was prominently featured in the news media, with live television coverage, extensive newspaper reporting, and an extensive cover stories in Time magazine and Life (magazine) on August 4, 1967. Image File history File links 1101670804_400. ... Image File history File links 1101670804_400. ... August 4 is the 216th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (217th in leap years), with 149 days remaining. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... Time (whose trademark is capitalized TIME) is a weekly American newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report. ... Nickname: Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (Latin for, We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes) Location in Wayne County, Michigan Coordinates: Country United States State Michigan County Wayne County  - Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Area    - City  143. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... July 23 is the 204th day (205th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 161 days remaining. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... Vice Squad is a punk rock band formed in 1978 in Bristol, England. ... A blind pig, also known as a blind tiger, is an establishment that illegally provides alcoholic beverages. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles accessible from a disambiguation page. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... Lyndon Baines Johnson (August 27, 1908 - January 22, 1973), often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States (1963-1969). ... The United States National Guard is a component of the United States Army (the Army National Guard) and the United States Air Force (the Air National Guard). ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... The 1992 Los Angeles riots, also known as the Rodney King uprising or the Rodney King riots, were sparked on April 29, 1992 when a mostly white jury acquitted four police officers accused in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King, after he fled from police. ... Time (whose trademark is capitalized TIME) is a weekly American newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report. ... Edward Steichens portrait of Greta Garbo. ... August 4 is the 216th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (217th in leap years), with 149 days remaining. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ...

Background

The seeds of the 12th Street riot were planted in the extraordinary growth of the auto industry that placed the city at the industrial center of the nation. The availability of high-paying and unskilled work in auto plants attracted many from the south, both black and white, who brought their often conflicting cultures into the community. In 1943, racial tensions between blacks and whites broke out into open riot as each competed for wartime jobs and limited housing. An estimated 10,000 participated, with an estimated 100,000 gathering to watch. Thirty-six hours of rioting later, 43 were dead, 33 of them black, 17 of those by police action. More than 7,200 were arrested, mostly black. Automakers are companies that produce automobiles. ...

By 1967, black residents lacked adequate housing due to lending practices, misguided urban renewal, and deed restrictions. Detroit had the highest home ownership rate among black people in the nation, but urban renewal projects bulldozed some black neighborhoods to make way for freeway construction. In order to construct Interstate 75, "Black Bottom" (Paradise Valley) was demolished, displacing most residents to high-rise low-income project housing or already-crowded neighborhoods. Black Bottom was the focus of the black community, and its loss resulted in racial tensions due to the loss of community as well as housing. Lending practices by banks, such as redlining, in addition to deed restrictions in local communities, denied blacks the ability to move to many neighborhoods, including most of the Detroit suburbs. Many homes that were privately owned were bought on land contract at high interest rates and very short foreclosure schedules. Blacks were trapped and confined to areas (often undesirable) that were not sufficient to hold the displaced population, and by 1967, the neighborhood around 12th Street had a population density that was twice the city average. Black schools in the city were overcrowded as well as underfunded. Blight often stands side-by-side with new structures during urban renewal efforts. ... Redlining is the practice of denying or increasing the cost of services, such as banking or insurance, to residents of certain areas. ... Interstate 75 (abbreviated I-75) is an interstate highway in the midwest and southeastern United States. ... This article refers to the neighborhood. ... Redlining is the practice of denying or increasing the cost of services, such as banking or insurance, to residents of certain areas. ...

In the 1960s, Detroit's total population was dropping due to white and business flight although the black population was still increasing rapidly due to continued immigration from the South. Detroit was losing over 20,000 residents a year by 1966, most of them white, who left for new jobs, better housing, better city services and schools in the suburbs. Partially in response to Detroit taxes, Detroit lost 134,000 jobs from 1947 to 1963. Between 1946 and 1956, GM spent $3.4 billion on new plants, Ford $2.5 billion, Chrysler $700 million, opening a total of 25 auto plants, all in Detroit's suburbs. Detroit lost around 240,000 residents between 1950 and 1970. By 1967 the city government was in deep financial trouble as the property tax base dropped. Whites could escape the problems of Detroit, but blacks were denied loans and, in some cases, purchases in the suburbs. Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... General Motors Corporation, also known as GM, is the worlds largest car manufacturer. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into articles entitled Ford Motor Company and Ford (vehicles). ... The Chrysler Corporation was an American automobile manufacturer that existed independently from 1925–1998. ...

In 1967, the Detroit Police Department was predominantly white with only 8% black. Its Big 4 or Tac Squads, each made up of four police officers, had a reputation among the black residents of Detroit for harassment and brutality. Officers verbally degraded youths, and those that could not produce proper identification were often arrested or worse. Several questionable shootings and beatings of blacks by officers were reported by the local press in the years before 1967. After the riot, a Detroit Free Press survey showed that residents reported police brutality as the number one problem they faced in the period leading up to the riot.

In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. came to Detroit for a march to protest segregation and racism. In his speech, he said prophetically, "...We must come to see that de facto segregation in the North is just as injurious as the actual segregation in the South."^[1] But by 1967, the mainstream civil rights movement was in decline, making space for the emerging, high-profile Black Power Movement and its more militant approach to combating racism and increasing the life chances of black people. Detroit mayor Jerome Cavanagh had been elected less than two years previously with promises of progressive reforms and an end to the cronyism that had marked his predecessor's tenure. The federal government, at Cavanagh's prodding, pumped money into the city's urban renewal and Head Start programs. However, unemployment among black men was more than double that of white men in Detroit. Blacks were less educated than whites, and when they did have the same education, they were generally paid less than their white counterparts. Martin Luther King, Jr. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Black Power is a slogan which describes the aspiration of many Africans (whether they be in Africa or abroad) to national self-determination. ... Former Detroit, Michigan Mayor Jerome Cavanagh 1962-1970 Jerome Cavanagh, also spelled Cavanaugh, (June 16, 1928 – November 27, 1979) was the mayor of Detroit, Michigan from 1962 to 1970. ... Cronyism is partiality to long-standing friends, especially by appointing them to public office without regard for their qualifications. ... Head Start is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that focuses on assisting children from low-income families. ...

Twelve days before the raid on the blind pig, Newark, New Jersey had suffered through six days of rioting, ending less than five days before the Detroit riot began. Conditions in Newark were much worse for blacks than conditions were in Detroit. Detroit's rate of black homeownership was the highest in the nation; Newark's was much lower. Nickname: The Brick City Map of Newark in Essex County Coordinates: County Essex Founded/Incorporated 1666/1836  - Mayor Cory Booker, term of office 2006–2010 Area [1]    - City 67. ... Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Area  Ranked 47th  - Total 8,729 sq mi (22,608 km²)  - Width 70 miles (110 km)  - Length 150 miles (240 km)  - % water 14. ...

Chronology

In the early hours of Sunday, July 23, 1967, Detroit police officers expected to find only a handful of individuals in the blind pig, but instead there were 82 people celebrating the return of two local veterans from the war in Vietnam. Despite the large number, police decided to arrest everyone present. A crowd soon gathered around the establishment, protesting as patrons were led away. July 23 is the 204th day (205th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 161 days remaining. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ... A blind pig, also known as a blind tiger, is an establishment that illegally provides alcoholic beverages. ... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000...

After the last police car left, a group of angry black males, who had observed the incident, began breaking the windows of the adjacent clothing store. Shortly thereafter, full-scale rioting began throughout the neighborhood, which continued into Monday, July 24, 1967, and for the next few days. Despite a conscious effort by the local news media to avoid reporting on it so as not to inspire copy-cat violence, the mayhem expanded to other parts of the city with theft and destruction beyond the 12th Street/Clairmount Avenue vicinity. July 24 is the 205th day (206th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 160 days remaining. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar (the link is to a full 1967 calendar). ...

Michigan Governor George Romney and President Lyndon Johnson initially disagreed about the legality of sending in federal troops. Johnson said he could not send federal troops in without Romney declaring a "state of insurrection". Romney was reluctant to make that declaration for fear that doing so would relieve insurance companies of their obligations to reimburse policyholders for the damage being done. George Wilcken Romney (July 8, 1907 – July 26, 1995) was chairman of the American Motors Corporation from 1954 to 1962 and was elected three times as the Republican Governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969. ... Lyndon Baines Johnson (August 27, 1908–January 22, 1973), often referred to as LBJ, was an American politician. ... Insurrection could refer to: * in a general sense, it means Rebellion * it is also a title of a Star Trek film, see Star Trek: Insurrection ...

The violence escalated throughout Monday, July 24, resulting in some 483 fires, 231 incidents reported per hour, and 1800 arrests. Looting and arson were widespread. Snipers took shots at firefighters who were attempting to fight the fires, possibly with some with the 2,498 rifles and 38 handguns that were stolen from local stores. It was obvious that the Detroit and Michigan forces were unable to keep the peace.

On Monday, U.S. Representative John Conyers (D-Michigan), who was against Federal troop deployment, attempted to ease tensions but was unsuccessful. Reportedly, Conyers stood on the hood of the car and shouted through a bullhorn, "We're with you! But, please! This is not the way to do things! Please go back to your homes!" But the crowd refused to listen. One civil rights activist (whom Conyers had once defended in a trial) allegedly responded, "Why are you defending the cops and the establishment? You're just as bad as they are!" Conyers' car was pelted with rocks and bottles, one of them hitting a nearby cop. According to reports, as Conyers climbed down from the hood of the car, he remarked to a reporter in disgust, "You try to talk to those people and they'll knock you into the middle of next year."^[2] John Conyers, Jr. ...

Likewise, Detroit Tigers left-fielder Willie Horton, a black Detroit resident who grew up not far from the blind pig, drove to the riot area after his game and stood on a car in the middle of the crowd while he was still wearing his uniform. However, despite his impassioned pleas, he could not calm the angry mob. Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1998–present) Current uniform Name Detroit Tigers (1901–present) Ballpark Comerica Park (2000–present) Tiger Stadium (1912-1999) Bennett Park (1894-1911) Major league titles World Series titles (4) 1984 â€¢ 1968 â€¢ 1945 â€¢ 1935 AL Pennants (10) 2006 â€¢ 1984 â€¢ 1968 â€¢ 1945 1940... Willie Watterson Horton (born October 18, 1942 in Arno, Virginia) is a former left fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers for the majority of his career. ... Ochlocracy (Greek: οχλοκρατια; Latin: ochlocratia) is government by mob or a mass of people, or the intimidation of constitutional authorities. ...

Shortly before midnight on Monday, July 24, President Johnson authorized use of Federal troops by using a law from 1795, which stated that the President may call in armed forces whenever there is an insurrection in any state against the government.^[3] The 82nd Airborne had earlier been positioned at nearby Selfridge Air Force Base in suburban Macomb County, along with National Guard troops who were federalized at that time. Starting at 1:30 AM Tuesday July 25, some 8,000 National Guardsmen were deployed to quell the disorder. Later their number would be augmented with 4,700 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne, and 360 Michigan State Police. The 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army was constituted in the National Army as the 82nd Division on August 5, 1917, and was organized on August 25, 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia. ... Selfridge Field is a joint United States military reserve and National Guard training facility in Harrison Township, Michigan. ... Housing subdivision near Union, Kentucky, a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio. ... Macomb County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... July 25 is the 206th day (207th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 159 days remaining. ... The United States National Guard is a component of the United States Army (the Army National Guard) and the United States Air Force (the Air National Guard). ...

There is some discussion that the deployment of troops incited more violence, although the riot ended within 48 hours of their deployment. National Guard troops were engaged in firefights with locals, resulting in deaths both to locals and the troops. Tanks and machine guns were used in the effort to keep the peace. Film footage and photos shown internationally were of a city on fire, with tanks and combat troops in firefights in the streets, sealing Detroit's reputation for decades to come.

By Thursday, July 27, order had returned to the city to the point where ammunition was taken from the National Guardsmen stationed in the riot area, and bayonets ordered sheathed. Troop withdrawal began on Friday, July 28, the day of the last major fire in the riot. The Army troops were completely withdrawn by Saturday, July 29.

The Detroit riot ignited similar problems elsewhere. National Guardsmen or state police were deployed in five other cities: Pontiac, Flint, Saginaw, Grand Rapids, and Toledo, Ohio. Disturbances were also reported in more than two dozen cities. Pontiac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan named after the Ottawa Chief Pontiac. ... Nickname: The Vehicle City, Buick City, Flint Town, Bedrock, The 810 Location of Flint within Genesee County, Michigan. ... Saginaw redirects here. ... Nickname: Location of Grand Rapids within Kent County, Michigan Coordinates: Country United States State Michigan County Kent  - Mayor George Heartwell Area    - City 45. ... Nickname: The Glass City Location in the state of Ohio Country United States State Ohio County Lucas Mayor Carty Finkbeiner (D) Area    - City 217. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Cleveland Area  Ranked 34th  - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km²)  - Width 220 miles (355 km)  - Length 220 miles (355 km)  - % water 8. ...

The toll

Over the period of five days, forty-three people died, of whom 33 were black. The other damages were calculated as follows:

• 467 injured: 182 civilians, 167 Detroit police officers, 83 Detroit firefighters, 17 National Guard troops, 16 State Police officers, 3 U.S. Army soldiers.
• 7,231 arrested: 6,528 adults, 703 juveniles; 6,407 blacks, 824 whites. The youngest, 4; the oldest, 82. Half of those arrested had no criminal record. Three percent of those arrested went to trial; half of them were acquitted.
• 2,509 stores looted or burned, 388 families homeless or displaced and 412 buildings burned or damaged enough to be demolished. Dollar losses from arson and looting ranged from $40 million to $80 million.^[4]

The dead included: