Riotous American History

With the unfortunate murder of George Floyd, many supporters of the Black Lives Matter Movement have taken to the streets to rise in protest of this injustice. The protesters seek justice for George Floyd. Justice for Ahmaud Arbery. Justice for Eric Garner. Justice for Breonna Taylor. Justice for all those who have been victims of racial discrimination and police brutality. Protests, which are supported by both the First Amendment and the Declaration of Independence, have occurred all around the nation, with some even taking place outside of the country. Some argue that protesting is unproductive or wrong. They state that there is no justification for these protests to become violent, despite no changes being made when peaceful protests concerning these issues have been carried out in the past. When we take a close look at past protests in America, we see that protests are effective, whether they are violent or not, as they create lasting political and social change. Below are two examples of the success and influence of protests in America.

1967 - 12th Street Riot

The 12th Street Riot, also known as the 1967 Detroit Riot, was known as one of the most violent and destructive riots in United States history. The protest was in response to racial inequality, as African Americans were being subjected to housing and employment discrimintation, had poor access to medical services, and an underfunded public education system. The protests began on a hot summer night on July 23rd, 1967, and lasted over three days. Similar to the protests of today, the 12th Street Riot was also in response to discrimination against African Americans by law enforcement officers. The national guard was called in to put the riots to rest, and on July 27th, the protests came to an official end. With the unprecedented damage that came as a result of the riots came increased attention to the city of Detroit and the injustices its inhabitants faced on a daily basis. In response to the protests, civil rights laws were created, proving that this event led to a positive change.

1969 - Stonewall Riots

Similar to the 12th Street Riots, the Stonewall Riots were also caused by discrimintation against a group of people. In the case of the Stonewall Riots, much of this discrimination was aimed at the LGBTQ+ community. During 1969, homosexuality was illegal in 49 states, with punishments ranging from heavy fines to imprisonment. Members of the LGBTQ+ community had been subject to harassment and violence in the city and places like it for years. In New York City, gay bars were the only safe haven for people of this community. One of these bars, The Stonewall Inn, was the scene of the riots that began on June 28th. Police raided the The Stonewall Inn and began to arrest patrons. After resisting arrest, a series of riots broke out outside of the bar. Police locked themselves in the bar as rioters grew violent. Rioters responded by setting fire to The Stonewall Inn. The riots lasted until July 1st and are considered one of the most violent protests in American history. Like the 12th Street Riots, the Stonewall Riot had lasting effects. The Stonewall Riots became the root of the gay liberation movement in America, bringing awareness to the cause all around the world. To this day, June 28th serves as the date of choice for many Pride-related events. In 2016, President Obama declared The Stonewall Inn as a National Historic Landmark.

When we come together to make our voices heard, we bring awareness to issues with one goal in mind - change. The 12th Street Riots and The Stonewall Riots are just two examples of changes that have been made as a result of civil disobedience. But there are countless other protests that have occurred throughout our nation’s long history that have changed the way we view ourselves as Americans. As Americans, we have the right to protest for justice, especially when it comes to an issue as important and as widespread as discrimination against African Americans, who have played an undeniable role in the nation’s development. Without justice, there can be no peace.

Source: History.com