Racial unrest in Cairo, Illinois facts for kids

Between 1967 and 1973, the town of Cairo, Illinois faced a difficult time with racial tensions. The town already had problems between different racial groups. Things got much worse after a young Black soldier was found dead in his jail cell. For several years, there were many violent events, like fires, boycotts (where people refuse to buy things from certain businesses), and even shootouts. In 1969 alone, there were 170 nights when gunfire was reported.

This period of unrest caused many people to leave Cairo. The town became almost empty, like a ghost town.

Understanding the Cairo Unrest

Cairo has a long history of difficult race relations. Some people trace these problems back to 1909, when a Black resident named William James was killed by a mob. In 1900, Cairo had nearly 13,000 people, and about 5,000 of them were African-American. This was a very large Black population for a town of its size in Illinois. Because of this, tensions between Black and white residents were already high.

The town's economy also struggled when the steamboat industry declined in the early 1900s. By the 1960s, many people in Cairo, both Black and white, faced poverty and unemployment. The unemployment rate was more than double the national average. These economic problems added to the existing racial tensions.

The 1967 Riot Begins

The Cairo riot of 1967 was one of many similar events that happened across the United States during the "Long Hot Summer of 1967". This riot in Cairo started on July 17, 1967. It led to three days of riots and protests.

The unrest began after Private Robert Hunt, a young African-American soldier, died while in jail in his hometown of Cairo. His death was suspicious and sparked strong reactions. After this, the city experienced seven years of renewed civil rights activities and conflict. During the first few days, there were several shootouts and at least six firebombings. Three stores and a warehouse were burned down.

Key Events: A Timeline

1967 Events

• July 17 - The unrest began after the suspicious death of Robert Hunt in jail. Six firebombings happened across the city. These included attacks on three stores and a warehouse.
• July 19 - Three more firebombings occurred, two at a lumber yard and one at the foreman's home. Police also exchanged gunfire with snipers, but no one was hurt.
• July 20 - 100 National Guardsmen were sent home after a night with less tension.
• July 21 - A leader of a Black group warned that Cairo could "look like Rome burning down" if their demands were not met. Mayor Lee Stenzel met with about 400 angry white residents. He told them that the "negro problem" had been growing for a long time and he needed more time to deal with it.

1969 Events

• March 31 - Several shootings happened. A police car was hit by bullets. A Black man's car had its windows shot out. White men also fired at the Pyramid housing project from the Mississippi River levee.
• April 26–28 - Over a weekend, 28 firebombings occurred. A laundromat, a tavern, and a mostly Black high school were bombed. The Tri-County Health center was set on fire twice. During the second fire, firefighters and police were shot at. In another event, police tried to enter the Pyramid housing projects to look for a weapon, but about 200 Black residents stopped them.
• May 1 - 175 National Guardsmen and 30 State Policemen were sent to Cairo. They helped the small 15-person police force enforce a curfew. Mayor Lee Stenzel, Police Chief Carl Clutts, and other leaders spoke at the Illinois State Capitol about the unrest. Members of the Negro United Front also protested businesses owned by "White Hats" members.
• May 26 - Two waves of violence happened in 24 hours. First, gunmen attacked the Cairo police station, firing over 100 shots. Second, a wallpaper warehouse and the Tri-County Health center were firebombed. Firefighters were shot at while trying to put out the health center fire. The health center was allowed to burn down because it was already planned to be destroyed due to earlier bombings.
• June 12–14 - Four firebombings and two shooting incidents occurred.
• June 15 - Sniper fire and firebombings continued. A large discount store was firebombed, and firefighters were shot at. A group of Black residents firebombed several white homes. There were about a dozen fires in total. Some people thought the unrest was related to the new police chief, William Petersen.
• June 18 - Police had a shootout with unknown gunmen at an abandoned building. An empty house in a Black neighborhood and a lumber company storage shed were also set on fire.
• June 20 - A legislative committee suggested that 70 state police officers should patrol the city. They also recommended that Governor Richard B. Ogilvie ask the federal government to declare a state of emergency. This would help get federal money for housing and business development.
• June 26 - Groups of white and Black residents threw rocks and bricks at each other. This happened after a march of 400 white residents who demanded "equal rights for whites."
• July 15 - Six ministers from the United Front of Cairo were removed from Governor Ogilvie's office in Springfield after they held a sit-in.
• August 28–29 - Scattered gunfire was reported, including incidents where patrol cars were shot at. No injuries were reported.

1970 Events

• July 23 - Several shootouts between white and Black residents occurred. The heaviest fighting was at the Pyramid Courts housing project.
• October 27 - Governor Ogilvie ordered 24 state police officers and an armored car to patrol Cairo indefinitely. This was to stop the "indiscriminate gunfire and lawlessness." This order came after the Cairo police station was attacked with automatic gunfire three times.
• December 17 - Senator Charles H. Percy met with three Cairo high school students, the mayor, and business leaders in Washington. They discussed how to bring peace to the city.

What Happened Next

The unrest caused many people to leave Cairo. The town's population was already decreasing before the troubles began. In 1920, Cairo had its highest population of 15,203 people. By 1960, it was down to 9,348. After the unrest, the population continued to drop sharply. By 2016, only about 2,359 people lived in Cairo.