RIOTS BREAK OUT IN WATTS
Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) On August 11, 1965, at 7 p.m. (PDT) Marquette Frye* was stopped by California Highway Patrolman Lee Minikus for reckless driving in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. When Mr. Frye stumbled during a field sobriety test, he began to resist arrest. By that time, more than 250 people were gathered around.
Soon Frye was arrested and a riot broke out among the crowd who took issue with the actions of police. Rocks and other objects were thrown by the mob at the officers. Rioting continued for the next four hours.
After 6 days of rioting, the casualties included 34 dead, more than a thousand wounded and over 3400 arrested. 4000 soldiers in the California National Guard were called in to restore order to the Watts community. The damages were estimated to be $40 million.
A investigating commission looked into the Watts riots and determined the three main causes were high unemployment, poor schools and inferior living conditions.
*Maruqette Frye (1944-1986) was born in Oklahoma and grew up in Wyoming. His family moved to L.A. in 1957. MF dropped out of high school at age 16. He died of pneumonia.
SOURCE
"Marquette Frye, 1944-1986," by Shaun Michael Mars, January 21, 2007, Black Past, www.blackpast.org/
Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) On August 11, 1965, at 7 p.m. (PDT) Marquette Frye* was stopped by California Highway Patrolman Lee Minikus for reckless driving in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. When Mr. Frye stumbled during a field sobriety test, he began to resist arrest. By that time, more than 250 people were gathered around.
Soon Frye was arrested and a riot broke out among the crowd who took issue with the actions of police. Rocks and other objects were thrown by the mob at the officers. Rioting continued for the next four hours.
After 6 days of rioting, the casualties included 34 dead, more than a thousand wounded and over 3400 arrested. 4000 soldiers in the California National Guard were called in to restore order to the Watts community. The damages were estimated to be $40 million.
A investigating commission looked into the Watts riots and determined the three main causes were high unemployment, poor schools and inferior living conditions.
*Maruqette Frye (1944-1986) was born in Oklahoma and grew up in Wyoming. His family moved to L.A. in 1957. MF dropped out of high school at age 16. He died of pneumonia.
SOURCE
"Marquette Frye, 1944-1986," by Shaun Michael Mars, January 21, 2007, Black Past, www.blackpast.org/
Police Make Arrest in Watts
August 12, 1965
New York World-Telegram Photo
