The Miami Race Riot
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The "Miami Race Riot" of early 1980 was triggered by the "Arthur McDuffie" incident.
McDuffie was a black insurance salesman and a former U.S. Marine.
Early in a December morning in 1979, police were chasing the 33 year old McDuffie on his motorcycle. McDuffie had several outstanding traffic citations and was driving with a suspended license.
The 5 white officers who had chased him later filed a report claiming McDuffie had run a red light and led police on an eight-minute chase.
They claimed after McDuffie lost control of his vehicle while making a left turn, he attempted to flee on foot but was subdued by the officers. McDuffie was accused of kicking one of the officers during the arrest.
McDuffie suffered severe head injuries during the incident, and was taken to a hospital, where he died four days later of his wounds.
The coroner's report concluded that he had suffered multiple skull fractures after being hit repeatedly by a blunt object.
The officer's stories didn't check out, and they were placed on trial. The trial was held in Tampa because of the tension about the incident in Miami.
The jury was all white and all male.
Some of the officers testified against the others, saying that McDuffie had raised his hands and given up before the arrest.
One medical examiner stated that McDuffie's injuries were the equivalent of falling out of a 4 story building.
Dade County's chief deputy medical examiner said McDuffie had suffered the worst brain damage he had ever seen in more than 3,600 autopsies.
After a long trial, the officers were acquitted in May 1980.
The verdict sent angry people pouring into the streets in Liberty City, the predominately black neighborhood in north Miami. The Miami Race Riot had begun.By 6:00 pm, a huge riot was underway with 3 people killed and at least 23 injured.
Florida governor Bob Graham immediately ordered 500 National Guard troops into the area.
He doubled the number of guard troops the next day, but 12 more people were killed in the Miami race riot and 165 injured as the violence spread to the black neighborhoods in Coconut Grove, Overtown, and Brownsville.
In addition, fires, burglaries, and looting increased, with police reluctant to enter some areas due to sniper fire.
By the third day, the violence declined as an 8 pm to 6
am curfew, coupled with a ban on the sale of firearms and
liquor, helped alleviate the violence.
In addition, Governor Graham sent in an additional 2,500 National Guardsmen to help contain the Miami race riot.
Local police also set up barricades for parts of Coconut Grove warning motorists to stay out.
Drivers reported having stones tossed at their cars, and the city came to a standstill as smoke billowed from parts of the city.
Reports of sniper fire at cars on I-95 also stopped traffic until the guards could restore order.
By the time the rioting was over, 850 people had been arrested and 18 people lost their lives, including 8 whites and 10 blacks.
The Miami race riot was one of worst race riots in American history.
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