Detroit, Michigan became the backdrop for one of the costliest and deadliest riots in United States history during the early morning hours of Sunday, 23 July 1967. A routine police raid on an unlicensed bar set off a four day long riot, “[leaving] scores dead and hundreds injured, thousands arrested, untold numbers of businesses looted, hundreds of buildings utterly destroyed and Detroit’s reputation in tatters.” The 12th Street Riot, beginning in response to the barroom scuffle, quickly escalated into a violent protest against recent police brutality and racial inequality of Detroit. Located in Virginia Park, 12th Street is the center of Detroit’s predominately African-American inner city, and plays a major role in the night life of Detroit
