- Buffalo riot
From June 26 to July 1, 1967, race riots rocked the east side of
Buffalo, New York . In the afternoon of June 27, 1967, small groups of African American teenagers cruised the neighborhood of William and Jefferson Streets breaking car and store windows. By night nearly 200 riot-protected police were summoned and a battle ensued. Many African Americans, three policemen and one fire fighter were injured. Although it was dispersed that night, it began again the next afternoon with fires set, cars over-turned, and stores looted whether or not they had "soul brother" written on them. This time 400 police were summoned, forty blacks were injured nearly half for bullet wounds."The Circle Association's African American History of Western New York State, 1935 to 1970" [accessed 7/16/2008, http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~sww/0history/1935-1970.html] ] The riots virtually shut down the city. During the night of June 28, over 40 people were hurt, 14 with gunshot wounds. "Preliminary Report on the Disturbances in Buffalo June 26 - July 1, 1967," by the Staff of the Store Front Education Centers. [accessed 7/16/2008, http://www.buffalonian.com/history/articles/1951-now/1967riots/index.html] ] On November 10, 1967, Dr.Martin Luther King visited Buffalo and in a speech titled "The Future of Integration" atKleinhans Music Hall before about 2,500 persons sponsored by the Graduate Student Association at theUniversity of Buffalo proclaimed: "We are moving toward the day when we will judge a man by his character and ability instead of by the color of his skin." "Massive Action Urged: King Says Negro In Economic Trap," by Richard E. Baldwin, Buffalo Courier-Express, November 10, 1967 [accessed 7/16/2008, http://www.buffalonian.com/hnews/1967mlkinginbuffalo.html] ] "Race, Neighborhoods, and Community Power: Buffalo Politics, 1934-1997", by Neil Kraus, Published 2000, SUNY Press, Buffalo (N.Y.)]References
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