- Harlem Riot
The Harlem Riot of 1964, an urban rebellion resulting from
African American protest of police brutality. At 9:30 pm on July 18, 1964, demonstrators rioted in the Harlem neighborhood ofNew York City to protest the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old African American, James Powell, by a white police officer. [ [http://www.africanaonline.com/reports_harlem.htm Harlem Renaissance and Harlem Riots ] ] The riot started as a peaceful protest, organized by CORE (Congress of Racial Equality ) but escalated into a full out free for all. The riot lasted for two days. Statistics vary but it is estimated that 500 persons were injured, one died, 400-500 arrested, and property damage estimated at $500,000 to $1,000,000. There were about 6,000 active police officers involved in stopping the riots. ["Curfew In Harlem Relaxed to 11:30" : The New York Times. August 4, : 8.]References
*See RW Apple, "Police Defend the Use of Gunfire in Controlling Riots in Harlem," NY Times, 7/21/64.
*Peter Kihss, "Screvane Links Reds to Rioting," NY Times, 7/22/64; and letters in response on 7/24/64.
*Barbara Benson, Letter to Editor, "Why Harlem Negroes Riot," New York Times, 7/22/64.
*"'Casualty' List in Battle of Harlem," Amsterdam News, 7/25/64
*"Injured in the Battle of Harlem," Amst News, 7/25/64
*George Barner, "The Negro Cop in a Race Riot," Amst News, 7/25/64
*"The Total in Riots," Amst News, 8/l/64.
*"Rioting follows a common pattern," NY Times, 8/30/64.
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