Anacostia Pool riot facts for kids

The Anacostia Pool riot happened on June 29, 1949. It took place at a public swimming pool in the Anacostia area of Washington, DC. This pool had recently been desegregated, meaning people of all races were allowed to swim there.

For two days, there were arguments between white and black people at the pool. This led to a big fight lasting two hours. About 450 people were involved. Five people were arrested, and at least four were seriously hurt.

One of the black swimmers, Bill Mabry, called it “Washington’s first race riot.” Even though some wanted to stop the new policy, the government said they would keep going with President Truman’s Civil Rights plan. This meant no steps backward for equality in Washington, DC.

Why Did the Riot Happen?

The Fight for Civil Rights

After World War II, the Civil Rights Movement grew stronger. People fought against segregation, which meant keeping people of different races separate. They often focused on public places like parks and pools.

In the summer of 1949, black activists tried to use public places that were only for white people. This often led to angry reactions and even riots. A similar event happened in St. Louis, Missouri at the Fairground Park riot.

Why Pools Were Important

Swimming pools were a big deal in the Civil Rights Movement. Desegregating them meant black and white people would be in the same place, even in locker rooms and the water. Many white people wrongly believed that sharing pools could spread sickness.

Washington, DC, was a very important place for these changes. Even though it was the nation's capital, it was deeply segregated. Black people were often not allowed in hotels, restaurants, or movie theaters.

Pools Open to Everyone

New Rules for Public Pools

In June 1949, Julius Albert Krug, who was in charge of the Department of the Interior, made an important announcement. He said that the federal government's policy against segregation would be enforced. This meant the six public pools in Washington, DC, that were on federal land had to allow everyone.

Even though the pools were on federal land, the lifeguards worked for the local District Recreation Board. This board supported segregation.

First Days of Desegregation

On June 23, 1949, the pools officially became desegregated. Over the next few days, about 50 black children tried to swim at Anacostia Pool. Some were allowed in, but many were turned away by the lifeguards.

After less than a week, the situation was very tense. The lifeguards at Anacostia Pool even asked to leave their jobs. They said they were afraid they couldn't handle the problems.

The Violence Begins

Early Clashes at the Pool

On June 26, 1949, just four days after the pool was officially desegregated, white pool users started being violent towards black young people.

When two young black men went to swim, a group of white boys surrounded them. They splashed them and forced them out of the pool. About 50 white people watching joined in, booing the two young men. Police were called, but they did not stop the white crowd.

An hour later, four more young black men, aged 14 to 21, tried to swim. Again, they were splashed and forced out by white people. About 700 to 800 white people saw these events happen.

Growing Tensions and Fights

White people at the Anacostia Pool kept trying to scare and fight black pool users. This continued for several days near the pool. On June 28, 1949, 20 police officers were called to break up fights. About 100 white people and 20 black people were involved.

The conflict became very serious on the afternoon of June 29. About 100 white people and 70 black people were at the Anacostia pool. A group of white men chased a young black man out of the pool. He cut himself while climbing the fence to escape.

Police started to separate white and black people leaving the pool. But the fighting just moved outside the pool area. A police captain there said about 450 people gathered in Anacostia Park. Many people in the crowd had baseball bats, clubs, and some even had hidden knives.

The Riot's End

In the end, four people were hurt badly enough to need hospital treatment. Five men were arrested. Two were black, and three were white. Two of the white men were arrested for giving out flyers without a permit.

What Happened Next?

Pool Closure and Reopening

On the night of June 29, police surrounded the Anacostia Pool to stop more riots. That night, Secretary Krug announced the pool was closed "until further notice." The Department of the Interior refused to give up control of the pools, even though the local Recreation Board wanted them to.

By August 16, 1949, a group of 25 mothers, both black and white, asked Krug to reopen the Anacostia Pool. They wanted it to be desegregated and protected by trained police officers of all races. After a long discussion, it was decided the pool would reopen as an integrated facility.

This happened in the summer of 1950, with more police present. No more disturbances happened, but fewer people came to the pool after it reopened.