Cambridge riot of 1963 facts for kids
The Cambridge riots of 1963 were important events that happened in the summer of 1963. They took place in Cambridge, a small city in Maryland. These events were part of the larger Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Local protests were led by Gloria Richardson and a group called the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). They wanted to end segregation, which was the practice of keeping Black and white people separate.
How the Protests Started: Events of 1962
In January 1962, a group called the Civic Interest Group (CIG) began organizing protests. This group was connected to the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). They held sit-ins and "freedom rides" in towns across Maryland.
When SNCC organizers arrived in Cambridge, they started demonstrations. People protested downtown to demand that local businesses allow everyone, regardless of race. Soon after, the Cambridge Nonviolent Action Committee (CNAC) was formed. This group helped support and continue the local protests.
The governor, J. Millard Tawes, wanted to pass a law to end discrimination. This law would have helped desegregate businesses across the state. However, some lawmakers from Maryland's Eastern Shore tried to stop it. They wanted their counties to be able to ignore the new law.
By the end of summer 1962, most places in Cambridge were still segregated. The CNAC-led protests became smaller as students went back to school.
Protests Grow Stronger: Events of 1963
Protests by the CNAC started again in late March 1963. A local movie theater made its rules even stricter for African Americans. They were only allowed in the very back rows of the balcony. This made protest leaders from CNAC and CIG meet with city officials. They asked for equal access to public places, fair job chances, and fair housing for African Americans. But their requests were not met.
In response, people marched through downtown Cambridge. They protested the ongoing segregation in public places. This led to Gloria Richardson and sixteen other protesters being arrested. They were charged with "disorderly conduct." After this, the CNAC organized a boycott of businesses owned by white people. This pattern of protests, arrests, boycotts, and harassment continued through April.
CNAC demonstrations kept going in mid-May. Many of these protests were led by high school students Dwight Cromwell and Dinez White, both 15 years old. They were arrested while praying peacefully outside a segregated building. They were held without bail. Eventually, they were sent to a state youth facility for an unknown amount of time.
The CNAC organized marches on June 11 and June 12 to protest their sentences. On June 13, another march was held downtown. On June 14, some businesses owned by white people in the Second Ward were set on fire. The Second Ward was a mostly African-American part of town. Gunfire was exchanged between white and African-American citizens. Some people were hurt.
Gloria Richardson, a graduate of Howard University, helped create groups that worked on civil rights issues. She was also a key leader in promoting pride among Black people.
Governor Tawes declared martial law and sent the Maryland National Guard to Cambridge. This happened after the CNAC refused to stop protests for a year. The guardsmen stayed in the town for 25 days, from June 14 to July 8.
On July 11, a conflict broke out between white and African-American people. Six protesters were harassed and beaten by white customers at Dizzyland restaurant. This restaurant was a main target for the CNAC's efforts to end segregation. Tensions grew even more when 250 African Americans organized a "freedom walk" to the Dorchester County Court House that evening. They were met by a crowd of 700 white people. The Maryland State Police kept the two groups apart and eventually sent them home.
Cambridge was quiet until 10 p.m. Then, two white men and a 12-year-old boy were wounded by shotgun fire near their homes. Police brought eight African-American men in for questioning.
In the early morning hours of July 12, two cars of white men drove through the Second Ward. They exchanged gunfire with African Americans. Police arrested five white men after the first gunfire in the African-American area. Three National Guardsmen in a civilian car were hurt. Their windshield was hit by a gunshot during the second round of gunfire. Order was restored around 2 a.m. on July 12. Major George E. Davidson of the Maryland State Police suggested that full martial law be put back in place.
The Maryland National Guard was sent back to Cambridge. They stayed there for the next year. Brigadier General George Gelston, who was in charge of the troops, put in place a modified martial law. This included a 9 p.m. curfew. It also banned further protests and carrying firearms. Selling alcohol was also forbidden.
Later Events: 1967
In July 1967, two groups, the National States' Rights Party and the Ku Klux Klan, came to Cambridge. They were there to protest school desegregation. The situation became more tense when H. Rap Brown, a Black Power advocate, arrived in Cambridge in late July. Brown made strong statements, like "burn this town down" and "It's time for Cambridge to explode." He said these things if local Black people felt their demands were not being met. The National Guard was quickly sent into the city. Brown was arrested.
Historians debate whether the events of 1967 truly count as a riot. Records from the Kerner Commission investigation show that H. Rap Brown finished his speech at 10 p.m. on July 24. He then walked a woman home and was shot by a deputy sheriff without being provoked. Brown was treated for his injuries and secretly taken out of Cambridge. The main fire did not start until hours later. Its spread is believed to be due to the Cambridge police and fire departments not acting quickly. They had difficult relationships with the Black community.
