July 23, 1967: A police raid sparks Detroit inner-city riots

Wednesday 23 July 2008

In 1967, the predominantly African-American neighborhood of Virginia Park in Detroit was overpopulated, with residents living in sub-standard conditions. Racial tension had increased in the area due to inadequate housing, economic decline and regular harassment from a predominantly white police force.

On July 23, 1967, Detroit police raided an illegal after-hours club, arresting approximately 85 of the bar’s patrons while a crowd of onlookers grew outside. As the police concluded the raid and subsequent arrests, the crowd of about 200 began to riot as bottles were thrown at retreating officers. The resulting riots continued over the next four days, prompting Gov. George Romney to ask for assistance from the National Guard. When the riots quieted, 43 people were killed, 342 people were injured and 1,400 buildings had been burned.