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 factors led local African-American residents to feel powerless and disenfranchised. In particular they had been largely excluded from political representation and often suffered police brutality. Furthermore, unemployment, poverty, and concerns about low-quality housing contributed to the tinder-box.

According to a Rutgers' study on the riot, blacks had been disenfranchised in Newark despite the fact that Newark became one of the first majority black major cities in America alongside Washington D.C.. Italian-American mayor Hugh Addonizio (who was also the last non-Black mayor of Newark) failed to incorporate Blacks in various civil leadership positions and failed to help Blacks get better employment opportunities. The police department was dominated by Irish and Italian officers who would routinely stop and attack Blacks with or without provocation. Despite being one of the first cities in America to hire African American police officers, the department's current demographics did not adequately match the city's demographics leading to unrest between Blacks and the Police Department.

This unrest came to a head when a black cab driver named John Smith was arrested for illegally passing a double-parked police car and brutally beaten by police who accused him of resisting arrest. A crowd gathered outside the police station where he was detained, and a rumor was started that he had been killed while in police custody. (Actually he had been moved to a local hospital.)

This set off six days of riots, looting, violence, and destruction — ultimately leaving 23 people dead, 725 people injured, and close to 1,500 arrested. Property damage exceeded $10 million.

In an effort to contain the riots, every evening at 6 p.m. the Bridge Street and Jackson Street Bridges (both of which span the Passaic River between Newark and Harrison) were closed until the next morning.

The riots are often cited as a major factor in the decline of Newark and its neighboring communities, as many of the city's residents immediately fled to the suburbs.

The 1967 Plainfield riots occurred during the same period in Plainfield, New Jersey, a town about 18 miles southwest of Newark.

Disorder of 1967

Throughout the history of Newark there were many crimes and still are in the present Time.

One of the major crimes Newark was known for was the Newark riot.

It was a major civil disturbance that occurred in the city of Newark, NJ. It was so

Much racial tension that black people had to take a stand. They finally took a stand and it

Ended in deadly riot. It lasted for five days with 725 injured, 1500 arrested, and 26

People lay dead.

== == On July 12,1967 A man black man named John Smith got arrested for illegally trespassing a double park patrol car. He was then taken to the precincts and beaten badly. It then spread around the black neighborhoods that he died in police custody. All of sudden a furious mob gathered around the precinct with bricks and stones. As the police tried to break up the crowd some people started to break into and burn stores down. The mayor at the time was Hugh Addonizio he failed to give blacks civil leadership positions and didn’t help them get better employment opportunities. Italians and Irish controlled the police department who would stop and attack blacks with or without a reason. The riot continued for 4 days. Leaving stores but mostly liquor stores damaged and burned. Children were loosing their lives while riding in the car with their families and women were getting shot while sitting in front of their homes.

The Newark Riot did not come as a surprise. It was destined to happen because of all the poverty, police brutality, unemployment, and poor housing. In the 1960’s blacks from all around the world fought for their civil rights. It all resulted in riots. The mayor at the time was not providing leadership for the city changing population. He claimed he had not trust the government and the racial tension was escalating. Many of the problems in Newark were based on prejudice. When the rumor that John Smith had died spread it was the last straw for some members of the black community.

The Newark riot ended with 26 people who lay dead. 725 people were injured and 1,500 people were arrested .Stores damaged and burned down. Houses damaged and burned. Children and mothers hurt. To fix all the damages it took about 10 million dollars. Newark problems still remained as in poor housing, jobs, and good schools. But all of the building blocks are there to make Newark a strong and united community. == ==

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