Benton Harbor riots

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The city of Benton Harbor, Michigan, has had two major riots in recent times.

Contents

[edit] 1966

On August 30, 1966, due to a fatal shooting[1], residents rioted for six days. The riot was quelled after Governor George W. Romney dispatched troops from the Michigan National Guard[2][3].

[edit] 2003

In June 2003, a small minority of the residents in Benton Harbor rioted for two days when black motorcyclist Terrance Shurn, being chased by a mixed race police officer, crashed into a building and died. Nearly two dozen houses were set on fire, and hundreds of law enforcement personnel from around the state came to Benton Harbor to stabilize the situation. Many saw the riots as a sign of frustration from the mostly black youth population.[3][4][5][6]

Indirectly, the riot contributed to the Jimmy Carter Work Project being held in Benton Harbor and Detroit in 2005.

[edit] Other years

Benton Harbor also experienced rioting in 1960, 1967, and 1990.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Negro Crowd Stones Cars in Michigan", Chicago Tribune, 1966-09-01. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  2. ^ History of the Michigan National Guard: The Tumultuous 1960s: Benton Harbor, 1966, State of Michigan website.
  3. ^ a b c Ast, William F. III. "Violence brings back bad memories for some", The Herald-Palladium, 2003-06-19. Retrieved on 2008-03-19. 
  4. ^ Hartzell, Ted. "House burned, police vehicles vandalized during Benton Harbor riot", The Herald-Palladium, 2003-06-17. Retrieved on 2008-03-19. 
  5. ^ Ast, William F. III; Michael Eliasohn. "Second night of violence leaves at least 15 injured in Benton Harbor", The Herald-Palladium, 2003-06-18. Retrieved on 2008-03-19. 
  6. ^ Aiken, Scott. "Huge police presence, rain keep rioters off the streets", The Herald-Palladium, 2003-06-19. Retrieved on 2008-03-19. 

[edit] External links

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