This will be the second of four articles regarding the writer's memories of the Newark riots in 1967.
In July 2007 the wife and I celebrated our 4oth wedding anniversary. It was also the 40 year mark for Newark's riots.
The web was a good source for information on the riot. I located a story from the Newark Star Ledger. It told of the City's decision to place a plaque on the wall of the Fourth Police Precinct. Pictured above is Newark's City Hall, where all the political decisions are made, and The Fourth Precinct. This was where the riot erupted.
The police station was on 17th Ave - directly across from, a then high rise, housing project. Back in 1967, acting on "rumors, " an angry crowd gathered in front of the Precinct. They threw rocks, stones and fire bombs at police "spontaneously" igniting the five day riot.
That housing project is now history. I recall watching it be imploded from the County Courts building on the 9th floor. I think that was around 76, 77 or maybe 78. I recall the smoke that clouded the air. That cloud eventually disappeared. Beyond the rubble stood the Police Station House. It still stands. Note the windows have been "bricked" to provide better security. This building is a memorial in its own right.
The City made the decision to mark the spot where the riot started in 2007., It took a year to get the job done. In fact it took over one year. To be precise it was on July 23, 2008 that the plaque was placed on the wall of the "fortress" on 17th Ave.
One might wonder if it is appropriate to commemorate the "beginning" of such a lawless and devastating event. The description below is from the" Ledger." The plaque is pictured below..
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"One year and eleven days after announcing plans for a plaque commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Newark Riots would be installed, Mayor Cory Booker proudly unveiled the finished product during an afternoon ceremony today in front of the Fourth District Police Precinct -- ground zero for an uprising that ripped the city apart.
"On this site on July 12, 1967, there began a civil disturbance that took the lives of twenty-six people and forever changed our city," read the bronze sign. "May this plaque serve as a symbol of our shared humanity and our commitment to seek justice and equality. Dedicated July 12, 2007, by the People of Newark."
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