The 1967 Detroit Riots

On July 23, 1967, police broke up an after hours party for a pair of returning Vietnam vets. This was nothing unusual. Detroit police broke up so-called "Blind Pigs" all the time. However, this time was different. On this occasion, people grew angry and violent. Events simmered, grew out of control, and spread throughout the city leading to the most destructive riot in American history.

In the early morning of July 23, 1967, the police found eighty people at an illegal night club. With such a large gathering, they could have issued a warning and left. Instead, Detroit police arrested everyone on site. A group gathered outside the club to protest police harrasment. Once the police left, they lashed out.

Detroiters were tired of police harassment. As a result of continual brutality and lack of economic opportunities, the city was ready to explode. By the time of the raid, they had enough and began breaking windows. A mob mentality took over and looting began. In little time, the entire neighborhood rioted.

The police notified the national guard and scrambled to find the manpower to stop the looting. Since it was Sunday, the process took hours. Due to lack of manpower, most officers and Wayne County sheriff deputies watched the violence and intervened only when necessary. They hoped the violence would sputter out and felt a heavy hand might make matters worse. Likewise, the media failed to report the rioting fearing the reports would inspire others to violence.

As a result of the media blackout, people visiting downtown did not hear about the riot until they viewed it first hand. Detroit Tiger announcer Ernie Harwell reported smoke rising behind the Tiger Stadium bleachers. Following the Tiger game, outfielder and Detroiter Willie Horton attempted to calm the rioters while in his uniform. Despite his efforts, rioting continued as Detroit Police waited for help.

The next day, the Michigan State Police arrived in force. The combined force began making arrests. With the jails flooded, police created makeshift prisons to house prisoners. Meanwhile, Detroit Police, Michigan State Police, and Wayne County Sheriff remained overwhelmed. With the police overextended, homeowners sat on their porches and roofs with rifles to defend their homes. Governor George Romney asked President Johnson for help. Johnson refused to send federal troops without a declaration of a "state of insurrection" in Detroit. Additionally, Democrat Johnson did not want to help the Republican presidential candidate.

Other politicians took a more practical approach and tried to stop the rioting. On July 24, Congressman John Conyers took to the streets with a bullhorn. At one point, he hopped onto the hood of a car and tried to calm the crowd. No one listened and Conyers was accused of being an Uncle Tom. The crowd tossed rocks at the congressman and Conyers retreated.

At the same time the crowd turned on Conyers, Detroit burned. On Monday July 24, nearly 500 fires broke out. The rioters did not discriminate and destroyed black and white businesses and homes. The looting escalated and gun shops reported the loss of over 2500 guns. The looters turned the guns on the firefighters. At the end of the day, Johnson finally approved troop deployments.

As a result of Johnson's order, 13,000 troops marched on Detroit to quell the violence. The National Guard troops were green and some wilted under the pressure. Detroit Tiger Mickey Lolich was among the national guardsmen called for duty. Meanwhile, the police force approached complete exhaustion. On the other hand, the regular army performed well. Snipers continued to harass the first responders and their backup. Police forced nurses and paramedics to stay on the floor of their ambulances. The army began shooting out street lights so the snipers could not see.

On July 26, the army and national guard engaged in firefights. Tanks appeared on Detroit's streets. The rioters had little chance of winning an exchange with trained soldiers armed with machine guns let alone tanks. The violence slowed. Troops began to leave on the 28th. On Saturday July 29, the military was gone.

Detroit's riot inspired similar outbursts in Pontiac, Flint, Toledo, and Saginaw. Some hoped it was another Lexington and Concord. The revolution never came. Troops stationed on the expressways hoped to contain the violence by keeping people from leaving riot areas to spread the violence.

Despite over a dozen other disturbances, none reached the level of destruction in Detroit. Like parts of Berlin which still has damage from World War II, Detroit continues to bare its scars in the form of burnt out buildings. The riot accelerated white flight and continued to shrink the city's tax base. The region continues to struggle with race relations to this day. The bickering between city and suburbs almost always contains racial overtones. Making matters worse, corrupt politicians moved in further destroying the city. Detroit has never recovered.

In the immediate aftermath, forty-three people died and 467 injured. Police made over 7000 arrests. The people torched almost 3000 buildings including homes, businesses, and stores. Around 400 families became homeless. The damage ran nearly $80 million.

For five days in July, 1967, Detroit burned. Pent up frustration led to rioting. Although some consider it an urban rebellion, this was a riot. Rioters and looters attacked first responders and it took federal troops to put down the violence. Little did anyone at the time know, the riot spelled Detroit's doom. The city has yet to recover.