Riots in Detroit (1967)

20th May 2015 1960s, Historical 10535

The 1967 Detroit riot, also known as the 12th Street riot, was a violent public disorder that turned into a civil disturbance in Detroit, Michigan. It began on a Saturday night in the early morning hours of July 23, 1967. The precipitating event was a police raid of an unlicensed, after-hours bar then known as a blind pig, on the corner of 12th (today Rosa Parks Boulevard) and Clairmount streets on the city’s Near West Side. Police confrontations with patrons and observers on the street evolved into one of the deadliest and most destructive riots in United States history, lasting five days and surpassing the violence and property destruction of Detroit’s 1943 race riot.

Subject: African Americans stroll the burning streets of Detroit during the race riots. Detroit, Michigan 1967 Photographer- Howard Bingham Time inc NOT owned Merlin-1153219

Detroit residents stroll the burning streets. Image: Howard Bingham/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

DETROIT, UNITED STATES – JULY 01: Building burning during race riots in the city. (Photo by Declan Haun/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)

Subject: Detroit Police officers confronting African American people in the streets during the Race Riots, Detroit, Michigan July 1967 Photographer- Lee Balterman Time Inc Owned Merlin-1153177

Detroit police officers confronting African-American people in the streets. Image: Lee Balterman

DETROIT, UNITED STATES – JULY 01: Firemen and civilians starting to clear debris the morning after after race riots rock the city. (Photo by Declan Haun/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)

MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES – 1967: Policeman lining up suspects after race riots. (Photo by Declan Haun/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)

Subject: Detroit street with National Guards and police during the race riots. Detroit, Michigan 1967 Photographer- Howard Bingham Time Inc NOT Owned Merlin-1153209

Detroit street with National Guard and police. Image: Howard Bingham/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

DETROIT, UNITED STATES – JULY 01: Firemen are protected by police (from snipers, etc.) while they battle smoking blaze after race riots rock the city. (Photo by Declan Haun/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)

Subject: Abandoned and Burned out buildings from the Race Riots in Detroit, Michigan July 1967 Photographer- Lee Balterman Time Inc Owned Merlin-1153580

Fire fighters are protected by police from snipers while they battle a smoking blaze. Image: Declan Haun/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Subject: People walk by destroyed and burned out building caused by the Race Riots in Detroit, Michigan July 1967 Photographer- Lee Balterman Time Inc Owned Merlin-1153578

People walk by a destroyed building. Image: Lee Balterman / Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Subject: Detroit gun store owner and National Guardsman protecting property from looters during the race riots. Detroit, Michigan 1967 Photographer- Howard Bingham Time Inc Not Owned Merlin- 1153217

Detroit gun store owner and National Guardsman protecting property from looters. Image: Howard Bingham/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Subject: "Soul Brother" written on the windows of an African American owned business so that rioters won't vandalize or destroy during race riots. Detroit, Michigan 1967 Photographer- Howard Bingham Time Inc NOT OWNED merlin-1153193

“Soul Brother” written on the windows of an African-American-owned business. Image: Howard Bingham/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES – 1967: Smoldering ruins of middle class black neighborhood, the aftermath of race riots which ravaged city after confrontation between police and African Americans following bust of illegal after hours club. (Photo by Declan Haun/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images)