1968 Miami riot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 1968 Miami Riot |
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| Part of the Civil Rights Movement | |||
| Date | August 7 – 8, 1968 | ||
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| Death(s) | 3 | ||
| Injuries | 29 | ||
| Arrested | 200 | ||
In August 1968, several Black organizations in Miami asked for a big meeting. This meeting was for Black people who wanted change. It took place on August 7, 1968, at the Vote Power building in Liberty City. This was a neighborhood where many Black families lived.
The groups organizing the event included the Vote Power League, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Many smaller groups also helped. The protest wasn't caused by one single event. Instead, it was a way for people to show how upset they were with unfair political, social, and economic systems in the country.
Experts said the main reasons for the protest were discrimination, rules that kept people apart, and segregation (keeping different groups separate). People were also upset about bad housing, unfair money practices, and not enough job opportunities. They also faced racial discrimination and poor relationships with the police. Some felt there was competition for jobs with Cuban refugees. The date was chosen to happen at the same time as the Republican National Convention. This big political meeting was happening in Miami Beach, and the protest hoped to get more attention because of it.
Contents
What Happened During the Miami Riot?
How the Riot Started
The meeting in Liberty City was only for Black people. A white reporter tried to enter and was asked to leave. After this, Miami police arrived with five cars and a special unit. This made the situation much more tense.
Soon after, a white man drove by in a car with a "Wallace for President" bumper sticker. As he passed the Vote Power building, people threw stones and bottles at his car. His car crashed into another vehicle. The driver quickly ran away, and his car was flipped over and set on fire. People then broke into and damaged businesses in Liberty City's shopping area that were owned by white people. Police eventually stopped this first outbreak using tear gas.
Meetings and Growing Problems
Florida's governor, Claude Kirk, and the SCLC president, Ralph Abernathy, were both at the Republican National Convention. Metro-Dade County Mayor Chuck Hall also arrived. They met with community leaders to talk about the issues. However, they did not agree on any actions to solve the problems faced by the Black communities. The Governor suggested they continue talking the next morning.
The next day, Governor Kirk and local officials did not show up themselves. Instead, they sent other people to represent them. This made the violence much worse. Protesters threw stones at police. They also set fire to markets and stole items from shops owned by white people. Miami officials asked for help from the Florida Highway Patrol. This group used a large cloud of tear gas, sprayed from a machine usually used for insect control, to try and bring back order.
National Guard Steps In
The Florida National Guard was called in to help. A rule was put in place that people had to stay indoors from dusk until dawn. About 800 National Guard members and 200 sheriff's deputies worked to restore order. Heavy rains the next day also helped to end the riot.
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