Benton Harbor riots

Contents

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

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]

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. Five[4] homes were set on fire, and about 300 state troopers and law enforcement personnel from neighboring communities came to Benton Harbor to stabilize the situation.[4] Many saw the riots as a sign of frustration from the mostly black youth population.[3][5][6][7]

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

Other years

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

References

  1. ^ "Negro Crowd Stones Cars in Michigan". Chicago Tribune. 1966-09-01. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/584507082.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI. Retrieved 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 (2003-06-19). "Violence brings back bad memories for some". The Herald-Palladium. http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2003/06/19/news/export42210.txt. Retrieved 2008-03-19. 
  4. ^ a b "Rain, curfew help bring quiet night to Benton Harbor". CNN. 2003-06-19. http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Midwest/06/18/michigan.unrest/. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 
  5. ^ Hartzell, Ted (2003-06-17). "House burned, police vehicles vandalized during Benton Harbor riot". The Herald-Palladium. http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2003/06/17/news/export42151.txt. Retrieved 2008-03-19. 
  6. ^ Ast, William F. III; Michael Eliasohn (2003-06-18). "Second night of violence leaves at least 15 injured in Benton Harbor". The Herald-Palladium. http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2003/06/18/news/export42182.txt. Retrieved 2008-03-19. 
  7. ^ Aiken, Scott (2003-06-19). "Huge police presence, rain keep rioters off the streets". The Herald-Palladium. http://www.heraldpalladium.com/articles/2003/06/19/news/export42206.txt. Retrieved 2008-03-19. 

External links