The city of
Benton Harbor, Michigan
Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is 46 miles southwest of Kalamazoo and 71 miles southwest of Grand Rapids. According to the 2020 census, its population was 9,103. It is the smaller, by population, of ...
, U.S., has had two major riots.
1966
On August 30, 1966, a riot began after a meeting discussing recreational facilities and police relations with respect to black residents.
During the riot, a black 18-year-old named Cecil Hunt was killed in a
drive-by shooting
A drive-by shooting is a type of assault that usually involves the perpetrator(s) firing a weapon from within a motor vehicle and then fleeing. Drive-by shootings allow the perpetrator(s) to quickly strike their target and flee the scene before ...
; suspects were arrested but the assault charge was later dismissed.
[ Governor ]George W. Romney
George Wilcken Romney (July 8, 1907 – July 26, 1995) was an American businessman and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he served as chairman and president of American Motors Corporation from 1954 to 1962, the 43rd gover ...
dispatched troops from the Michigan National Guard
The Michigan National Guard consists of the Michigan Army National Guard and the Michigan Air National Guard. The State adjutant general is Major general Paul D. Rogers.
Units
Michigan Army National Guard units include:
* Recruiting Office: Bay ...
, who stood down on September 5 when the riot dissipated.
2003
In June 2003, several citizens in Benton Harbor demonstrated for two days when black motorcyclist Terrance Shurn, being chased by a police officer, crashed into a building and died. As many as 300 state troopers and law enforcement personnel from neighboring communities were called to Benton Harbor.Detroit
Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
.
Other years
Benton Harbor also experienced rioting in 1960, 1967, and 1990.[
]
See also
*List of incidents of civil unrest in the United States
Listed are major episodes of civil unrest in the United States. This list does not include the numerous incidents of destruction and violence associated with various sporting events.
18th century
*1783 – Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783, June 20 ...
References
External links
* ''Benton Harbor, A Plan for Positive Change: Final Report of the Governor’s Benton Harbor Task Force'', Reverend James Atterberry and Greg Roberts, co-chairs, October 15, 2003
archived
March 13, 2006
*
1966 in Michigan
1966 riots
2003 in Michigan
2003 riots
African-American riots in the United States
Benton Harbor, Michigan
Lists of riots
Riots and civil disorder in Michigan
{{michigan-stub