1967 Newark riots
The 1967 Newark Riots were a major civil disturbance that occurred in the city of Newark, New Jersey between July 12 and July 17 1967. In the period leading up to the riots, several events had occurred that led to local African American residents feeling powerless and disenfranchised. In particular they had been largely excluded from political representation and felt victimised by police. Furthermore, unemployment, poverty and concerns about low quality housing contributed to the tinder-box.
This unrest came to a head when a Black cab driver named John Smith was brutally beaten by police for illegally passing a double-parked police car and then resisting arrest.
This set off five days of violence, looting and destruction — ultimately leaving 23 people dead, 725 people injured and close to 1,500 arrested. Property damage exceeded $10 million.
The riot is often cited as a major factor in the decline of Newark and its neighboring communities, as many of the city's residents fled to the suburbs immediately following the riots.
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