Unfortunately, the United States has a long history of race riots especially in relation to the black community. Race riots were common in the post-Civil War era – including lynchings. And then again during the Civil Rights era. It now been about 100 years since what was probably the most horrific of all in our history. The 1921 Tulsa race massacre was started in response to a teenage white girl accusing a teenage black man of assault in what turned out to be an accidental touching. A white mob started to loot and burn businesses in Greenwood – a black neighborhood. In a span of just 24 hours, 35 square blocks were burned and over 1,200 houses destroyed - as 300 people died.
More recently, there has been a rash of mob violence over incidents of police brutality – even killing – of blacks. Following are some of the most notable during the past 30 years – unfortunately there are many more.
1992 Los Angeles riots – a series of riots, lootings, arsons and civil disturbance that occurred in Los Angeles County following the acquittal of police officers on trial regarding the assault of Rodney King.
2001 Cincinnati riots - were caused by the killing of 19-year-old African-American Timothy Thomas by a white police officer, who was subsequently acquitted on charges of negligent homicide.
2012 shooting of Trayvon Martin, Sanford, Florida - George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch coordinator, fatally shot Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African-American high school student who was unarmed, during a physical altercation between the two. Zimmerman was charged with murder for Martin's death, but acquitted at trial after claiming self-defense. Protests were staged around the U.S. prior to Zimmerman's indictment on murder charges. And, in parts of the U.S., various acts of vandalism, assaults and crimes were connected in part for alleged revenge for the killing.
2014
Ferguson, MO riots - occurred against a backdrop of racial tension between police and the black community of Ferguson, Missouri in the wake of the police shooting of Michael Brown - an unarmed 18-year-old black man who was shot and killed after an altercation with the officer. A grand jury decided not to indict the officer. Protests, both peaceful and violent, continued for more than a week.
Eric Garner - died in New York City after a New York City Police officer put him in a chokehold while arresting him for selling cigarettes without a tax stamp. He subsequently died. A grand jury decided not to indict the officer. At least 50 demonstrations had been held nationwide in response to the Garner case.
2015 Baltimore riots – following the death of Freddie Gray - who was arrested and sustained injuries to his neck and spine while in transport in a police vehicle. He subsequently died, which spurred protests and then widespread civil unrest. At least twenty police officers were injured, at least 250 people arrested, hundreds of businesses, vehicles and structures were damaged, and stores looted. The police officers tried for second-degree murder were acquitted.
2016
Milwaukee riots – following the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Sylville Smith who was armed when shot by a police officer. The officer was acquitted at trial. In three days of turmoil, several people, including police officers, were injured and dozens of protesters arrested.
Charlotte riot - started in response to the shooting of Keith Lamont Scott by police who were looking for someone else but confronted Scott – claiming that he was armed. Prosecutors decided not to charge the officer. The shooting sparked both peaceful protests and violent riots in Charlotte over two nights. One person was killed by a civilian, and multiple officers and civilians were injured in the unrest.
2020: George Floyd riots, Minneapolis, MN - sparked by the death of George Floyd by police, who was accused of passing a counterfeit bill and was unarmed. Numerous disturbances broke out in Minneapolis as well as in other urban centers across the country for more than a week – including violence, property destruction and looting.
Some of the common ingredients to all of these incidents was of police killings of unarmed black people who were usually not involved in violent or even criminal activity. So, the community – both black and white – was outraged, leading to mass demonstrations and protests. However, in most cases these incidents got out of control and resulted in riots – property damage, looting, injuries and even deaths. It was found in many cases this violence was instigated by organized agitators and anarchists. There is no excuse for this criminal behavior in response those tragic killings. We must live by the rule of law. This was no way to honor those who died or bring justice.
All Rights Reserved © 2020 Henry P. Mitchell