1968 Washington, D.C., riots

The Washington, D.C., riots of 1968 were a four-day period of violent civil unrest and rioting following the assassination of leading African American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., on April 4, 1968. Part of the broader King-assassination riots that affected at least 110 U.S. cities, those in Washington, D.C.—along with those in Chicago and Baltimore—were among those with the greatest numbers of participants.

1968 Washington, D.C. riots
Part of the King assassination riots
A firetruck douses smoldering shops burnt out during the riots
DateApril 4, 1968 (1968-04-04) – April 8, 1968 (1968-04-08)
Location
Washington, D.C., U.S.

38°55′01″N 77°01′55″W
Caused byAssassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.
MethodsRioting, race riots, protests, looting, attacks
Parties to the civil conflict
Rioters
Casualties
Death(s)13
Injuries1,098
Arrested6,100+

Background

The ready availability of jobs in the United States government attracted many people to Washington, D.C. in the late 19th century through the 1960s, including African American men, women, and children during the era of Great Migration. As a result, middle class African American neighborhoods prospered, but the lower class was plagued by poor living conditions and fell deeper into poverty.[1]

Despite the end of legally mandated racial segregation after the 1954 decision of Brown v. Board of Education, the neighborhoods of Shaw, the Atlas District Northeast corridor, and Columbia Heights remained the centers of African-American commercial life in the city.

Pre-existing conditions

Housing

Housing in D.C. was deeply segregated. Most of the slums in the city were in the southern quarter of the city, and most of the inhabitants of these slums were black. The United States Commission on Civil Rights said in a government report on segregation in D.C. that housing was much harder to attain than for whites, and of the housing blacks could find within the city's border was in severely worse condition than the housing of their white counterparts.[2] The same federal council also stated that it was the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's segregationist zoning plot for the city that was to blame for housing inequality. HUD also came under fire from a group called ACCESS (Action Coordinating Committee to End Segregation in Suburbs) when they protested HUD for giving federal money to buildings that restricted blacks from living in.[3]

Education

Ghettoization resulting from housing discrimination led into a feedback loop of low property taxes and low funding for public schools in D.C., with many white parents sending children to private schools. Two thirds of D.C.'s population was black, while 92% of public school children were black.[4] Striking statistics such as one out of three ninth grade public school students ending up graduating gave way to rising frustration from the black majority towards the white-dominated government and only gave way to louder and louder calls for their demands to be met. The federal government granted $5.5 million under Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act but none of that money went to majority black schools.[5]

Police

With 80% of the D.C. police force being white and 67% of the city being black, tension between police and the community rose along with tension between whites and blacks before 1968. Harsh police tactics which started in the South in the 1960s to put a buffer on civil rights protests left inner city blacks nationwide more scared of police than ever. In the years leading up to 1968 there were many incidents in which D.C.'s black community held protests and turned angry against white police officers. In 1965, the same time and place as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. worked with white lawmakers to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965, two white D.C. police officers arrested a group of black boys with ages ranging from 12 to 16 for playing basketball in an alley. This prompted majority black crowds to gather around police stations around the city throwing rocks and in some cases firecrackers. These small disorderly protests would happen multiple times before the end of 1965.[4] There were three programs put in place after a long string of controversial arrests of black people by white officers. Firstly, a police run Department of Community Relations, a civilian-run Advisory Council for every precinct, and a Complaint Review Board made up of civilians that would look over complaints thrown out by the police chief and see if the complaint warranted a look at a repeal by the mayor. In 1968, before the riots began, a popular black D.C. reverend said that black resident and white cop relations had reached a "danger point."

Unemployment

In June 1967, the national unemployment rate was 4% for white Americans and 8.4% for non-white Americans.[6] In D.C., non-white unemployment was over 30% for much of the 1960s, many times higher than national rates.[4]

Course of events
Aftermath from the riots, at corner of 7th & N Street NW - within two blocks of two separate fire-related deaths

Looting and arson
Ruins of a store destroyed during the riots

On the evening of Thursday, April 4, as word of King's assassination in Memphis, Tennessee spread, crowds began to gather at the intersection of 14th and U Streets. Stokely Carmichael, the militant civil and political rights activist who had parted with King in 1966 and had been removed as head of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in 1967, led members of the SNCC to stores in the neighborhood demanding that they close out of respect. Although polite at first, the crowd fell out of control and began breaking windows. Carmichael, who supported the riots, told rioters to "go home and get your guns."[7]

The disturbances began when a window was broken at the People's Drug Store at the intersection of 14th and U Streets, NW.[8] An hour and half later, by 11 p.m., window-smashing and looting spread throughout the area. Looting occurred generally where there was little police protection. The local police department could not handle the disturbance, as one officer said, "This situation is out of control, we need help it's too much for us to handle."[9] The civil disturbance unit was later activated, but by the time order was restored around 3 a.m., 200 stores had their windows broken and 150 stores were looted, most of them emptied. Black store owners wrote "Soul Brother" on their storefronts so that rioters would spare their stores.[10]

The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department reported 1,180 fires between March 30 and April 14 of 1968 as arsonists set buildings ablaze.[11]

Carmichael speeches

The next morning, Mayor-Commissioner Walter Washington ordered the damage cleaned up immediately. However, at 10 a.m., anger and discontent was still evident, and was exacerbated when Carmichael addressed a rally, saying "white America has declared war on black America", there is "no alternative to retribution" and "Black people have to survive, and the only way they will survive is by getting guns".[7] "White America killed Dr. King last night. She made a whole lot easier for a whole lot of black people today. There no longer needs to be intellectual discussions, black people know that they have to get guns. White America will live to cry that she killed Dr. King last night. It would have been better if she had killed Rap Brown and/or Stokely Carmichael, but when she killed Dr. King, she lost."[12] "I think white America made its biggest mistake when they killed Dr. King last night... He was the one man in our race who was trying to preach mercy and forgiveness for what the white man has done." He said "Execution of this retaliation will not be in the courts but in the streets,...We're going to die on our feet-we’re tired of living on our stomachs."[13]

During a Havana broadcast, he told blacks to stay away from their jobs to protest the slaying and "make the white racist Americans understand that Negroes have the necessary force to set right the outrages which have been made against Negroes in the United States."[14]

Clashes with police and firefighters

Rioters walking down 7th Street NW and in the Atlas District came into violent confrontations with police. Around midday, arsonists set buildings ablaze while firefighters were attacked with bottles and rocks and unable to address the fires. By 1 p.m., the riot was once again in full effect. Police unsuccessfully attempted to control the crowds using tear gas.[15]

Presidential radio address

In a radio address after the announcement of King's death, President Lyndon B. Johnson asked all citizens not to resort to violence. The following morning, he held a meeting at the White House with black civil rights leaders and government officials. He made a statement saying to "deny violence its victory," pleading that all citizens come together to keep King's dream alive. He declared the Sunday of that week to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day of mourning, and ordered that all American flags be flown at half staff. He also made the final decision to bring in the military in order to stop the rioting.[16]:415

Mayor-Commissioner Walter E. Washington attempts to quell the violence
Mayor-Commissioner Walter Washington (right)

Walter Washington made nightly appearances during the riots, and these appearances were credited by many in the city with helping dampen the violence during the time. In addition, he refused FBI director J. Edgar Hoover's commands to shoot at rioters on the grounds that it would be needless slaughter and to avoid nearby harm to civilians.[17] In 1974, Washington became the city's first elected mayor and its first black mayor, but only served one term after being overwhelmed with managing the city.[18][19]

Coordination by Cyrus R. Vance

Cyrus R. Vance was the former Deputy Secretary of Defense and special Pentagon representative in D.C. 1968 Riots. Mayor Washington acted with Vance's guidance during Thursday night, the first hours of rioting. He also acted as the Pentagon's special representative from Friday night and on. He was called upon by Mayor Washington on Friday afternoon to coordinate the National Guard, the Army, and the police. He was the leading force in a shift in the military emphasis which focused on the overwhelming use of men, the use of tear gas, and an early, strictly enforced curfew.[20]

Police response

Before the riots, Layton, the police chief of Washington, emphasized that if there ever was a riot in Washington, he would use a large number of policemen with no guns, rather than fewer policemen with guns. During the riots, Layton put those words into action. Rather than acting immediately to the reports of rioting, looting, and window-breakings with a smaller force, he played the waiting game until a large enough force could be brought together. They then used tear gas instead of bullets to disrupt the rioting.[21]

Military intervention
D.C. National Guard troops on patrol at the Capitol on April 8

On Friday, April 5, President Johnson dispatched 11,850 federal troops and 1,750 D.C. Army National Guardsmen to assist the overwhelmed D.C. police force.[15] Marines mounted machine guns on the steps of the Capitol and Army soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Regiment guarded the White House. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, North Carolina and 6th Cavalry Regiment from Fort Meade, Maryland were among the principal federal forces sent to the city. At one point, on April 5, rioting reached within two blocks of the White House before rioters retreated. The occupation of Washington was the largest of any American city since the Civil War.

Federal troops and National Guardsmen imposed a strict curfew, worked riot control, patrolled the streets, guarded looted stores, and provided aid to those who were displaced by the rioting. They continued to remain after the rioting had officially ceased to protect against a second riot and further damage.[22][7][8]

Deaths

By Sunday, April 7, when the city was considered pacified, 13 people had been killed in fires, by police officers, or by rioters.[23][24] An additional 1,097 people were injured and over 7,600 people were arrested.[25]

NameRaceGenderAgeCause of deathLocation of death(Order died) Date of death
George Marvin FletcherWhiteMale28 years oldStabbed in confrontation with eight African-American youthGas station near 14th and U Street, NWa. Thursday, April 4, 1968
Unidentified teenagerBlackMale14~ years oldKilled in fireG.C Murphy Store, 3128 14th Street, NWb. Friday, April 5, 1968
George W. NeelyBlackMale18 years oldKilled in fireG.C Murphy Store, 3128 14th Street, NWc. Friday, April 5 ~12:20 p.m, 1968
Unidentified teenagerBlackMale14–17 years oldKilled in fireMorton's store, 7th and H Streetsd. Friday, April 5 ~4 p.m, 1968
Vincent LawsonBlackMale15 years oldKilled in fireWarehouse at 653 H St. NE, next to Morton's storee. Friday, April 5, 1968; remains discovered in 1971[24]
Harold BentleyBlackMale34 years oldKilled in fire513 8th Street, NE, I-C Furniture Companyf. Friday, April 5, 1968
Thomas Stacey WilliamsBlackMale15 years oldShot by policeman[26]Near 42nd Street, NE, 20019g. Friday April 5 ~6 p.m, 1968
Ernest McIntyreBlackMale20 years oldShot by policeman[26]4009 South Carolina St., by Al's Liquor Storeh. Friday, April 5, 1968
Annie JamesBlackFemale52 years oldSmoke inhalation from fire[23]Apartment above Quality Clothing Store at 701 Q St. NWi. Friday, April 5, 1968
Ronald James FordBlackMale29 years oldBled to death after slashing his neck and chest on a broken store window[27][23]Found outside the playground fence of Cardozo High School on 13th Street NW[23]j Saturday, April 6, 1968
Cecil Hale ‘Red Rooster’BlackMale40~ years oldSmoke inhalation from fireCarolina Market, 1420 7th Street, NWk. Sunday, April 7, 1968
William Paul JeffersBlackMale40 years oldKilled in fireJan's Drygoods Store, 1514 7th Street, NWl. Sunday, April 7, 1968
Fred WulfWhiteMale78 years oldFound unconscious, allegedly beaten by black youths, developed pneumonia at hospitalSidewalk at New Jersey and H streetsm. Monday, April 8, 1968

[23][24][28][29]

Civil Rights Act

On April 11, 1968, Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which included the Fair Housing Act section that prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin or gender. While a bill had been in question for some time, Johnson sped up the process following the assassination of Dr. King. The Act helped desegregate D.C. and reduced the amount of blacks living in ghettos, separated from wealthier whites-only areas.[30][31][32]

Fauntroy's proposal

Walter Fauntroy, City Council vice chairman and the leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, played a key role in the rebuilding of D.C. after the 1968 riots. When the riots first broke out, Fauntroy expressed his connection with Dr. King, stating that "There is no one in the city whose heart is more crushed and broken than (his)" after King's assassination. He challenged people to "Handle your grief the way Dr. King would have wanted it," and those who acted otherwise "do dishonor to the life and mission of Dr. King." Following the riots, Fauntroy proposed a program that would allow property owners the right to build bigger and more profitable buildings as long as they spend money on community projects such as housing, apartment renovations or retail centers. If someone wanted to go forward with a commercial project, they would need to first make a firm commitment to undertake a local project in a D.C. neighborhood. As part of their returning to the community, participants would be required to return 50% of the cash value of the bonuses they received through the program. Fauntroy estimated an increase of $500 million in revenue for the city government.[33]

Property damage and white flight

The property loss caused by the riots was extensive and included damage to 1,199 buildings, including 283 residential and 1,590 commercial units. Losses to at least partially insured properties in the concentrated area of looting and destruction were estimated at $25 million. Insurance covered only 29% of the total loss suffered by these businesses. As a result of the riot damage, an estimated 2,900 insurance policies were cancelled and 500 businesses suffered inflated insurance rates. The Board of Trade estimated a loss of $40 million in tourist trade during April and May including those due to the cancellation of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.[34]

The riots devastated Washington's inner city economy. With the destruction or closing of businesses, thousands of jobs were lost, and insurance rates soared. Made uneasy by the violence, white flight from the city accelerated, depressing property values. Crime in the burned out neighborhoods rose sharply, further discouraging investment.

On some blocks, only rubble remained for decades. Columbia Heights and the U Street Corridor did not begin to recover economically until the opening of metro (subway) stations at U Street in 1991 and Columbia Heights stations in 1999, which in turn assisted the areas' gentrification in the 2010s.[35]

See also

References
  1. Fisher, Marc; Pianin, Eric (April 4, 1988). "THE RIOTS AND D.C.'S UNDERCLASS". The Washington Post.
  2. "Civil Rights USA: Housing in D.C.". The United States Commission on Civil Rights.
  3. "HUD prolongs segregation in housing, ACCESS says". The Washington Post. August 19, 1967. ProQuest 143013415.
  4. Ben, Gilbert (1968). Ten Blocks from the White House. Praeger.
  5. Filson, Susan (June 10, 1967). "School Aid System Creates Inequities". ProQuest 143085544.
  6. "Unemployment Unchanged". 22 July 1969. ProQuest 532203454.
  7. FRANKLIN, BEN A. (April 6, 1968). "Army Troops in Capital as Negroes Rio". The New York Times.
  8. WILLS, Denise kersten (April 1, 2008). "People Were Out of Control: Remembering the 1968 Riots". Washingtonian.
  9. Brimelow, Ben (April 4, 2018). "Photos show present-day Washington, DC compared with the explosive 1968 riots that followed Martin Luther King Jr.'s death 50 years ago today". Business Insider.
  10. Brown, DeNeen L. (March 26, 2018). "A black bank witnessed devastation after the 1968 riots. Now 'the future is bright.'". The Washington Post.
  11. "The 1968 Riots". Curbed.
  12. "Martin Luther King Assassination". United Press International. 1968.
  13. Walsh, Kenneth T. (April 4, 2018). "A Dream Denied". US News & World Report.
  14. "Dr. King's Death Stuns Black, White Americans". The Lawton Constitution. April 5, 1968.
  15. Risen, Clay (2009). "April 5: 'Official Disorder on Top of Civil Disorder'". A nation on fire : America in the wake of the King assassination. Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-470-17710-5.
  16. Kotz, Nick (2006). Judgment Days: Lyndon Baines Johnson, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Laws That Changed America. Mariner Books. ISBN 978-0618641833.
  17. Coleman, Milton; Timberg, Craig (October 28, 2003). "Unifier Led D.C. Into Home Rule; Tact Helped City Withstand Crises". The Washington Post.
  18. Coleman, Milton; Timberg, Craig (October 28, 2003). "Unifier Led D.C. Into Home Rule". The Washington Post.
  19. "Walter Edward Washington, 88; Mayor of D.C. Prevented Big Riots". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 28, 2003.
  20. W. Gilbert, Ben (10 May 1968). Ten Blocks from the White House. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 33, 74, 92.
  21. Gilbert, Ben W. (10 May 1968). Ten Blocks from the White House. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 34, 35.
  22. Gilbert, Ben W. (10 May 1968). Ten Blocks from the White House. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 42, 57, 68, 73, 74, 92.
  23. Ruane, Michael E. (March 26, 2018). "The riot dead: Teenagers, a recovering mental patient, and two shot by police". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286.
  24. Gaines-Carter, Patrice (April 5, 1988). "FOR RIOT VICTIMS' KIN, THE PAIN ENDURES". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286.
  25. Ruane, Michael E. (March 26, 2018). "Fifty years ago some called D.C. 'the colored man's paradise.' Then paradise erupted". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286.
  26. Duggan, Paul; Williams, Clarence (2018-03-26). "After bloodshed in earlier U.S. riots, D.C. police showed restraint in 1968 unrest". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
  27. "The four days in 1968 that reshaped D.C." Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
  28. Gilbert, Ben (1968). Ten Blocks From the White House. New York City: Frederick A. Praeger. pp. 52–93.
  29. Goldchain, Michelle. "D.C.'s most famous protests, rallies, and riots, mapped". Curbed.
  30. SMITH, MERRIMAN (April 5, 1968). "Johnson urges nation to mourn King without violence". United Press International.
  31. "Remarks Upon Signing the Civil Rights Act". University of California, Santa Barbara. April 5, 1968.
  32. "History of Fair Housing". United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  33. Mintz, John (April 7, 1988). "INVESTORS RECLAIMING RIOT CORRIDORS". The Washington Post.
  34. Brownell, Richard (April 4, 2017). "John Layton, the M.P.D., and the 1968 Washington Riots". WETA (FM).
  35. https://wamu.org/story/17/01/12/report-growth-gentrification-metros-green-line-leads-d-c/

Further reading
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