1980

The Miami Riot was in response to a police brutality case that started in December of 1979. A 33 year old black man, Arthur McDuffie was died one night while being chased by the Miami-Dade all white police force. The officers involved in the chase said McDuffie died because his motorcycle crashed during the chase. The case went to trial in 1980, and the autopsy proved the injured were inconsistent with a crash; in addition, an officer involved in the chase admitted the crash was fabricated and McDuffie’s death was caused by his beating from the other officers. Although there was proof and testimony that the officers were guilty, all four were acquitted on May 17, 1980. This sparked the four day long Miami riots that started in Liberty City, and moved towards neighboring cities. Predominantly black and West-Indian people began to attack and destroy white motorists, and white businesses. The riots were so violent that the National Guard was brought in to help contain the riots to Liberty City. The riots ended on May 20th resulting in 800 arrests, eight white and ten black deaths, and over $80 million dollars in property damage. Water through fire hoses was used as a weapon in the riots.