The 1966 Division Street Riots
On June 12, 1966, Aracelis Cruz was shot on the corner of Damen Avenue and Division Street after officer said he was carrying a gun. The shooting set off a series of confrontations between Puerto Ricans and police officers that many people said had been festering for years due to poor housing conditions, educational opportunities, alleged racism, and feelings of neglect.
At the time, police said, the shooting was justified due to extreme gang activity in the area, but witnesses said it was an unprovoked reaction by police—something that was commonplace at the time. Eighty-one policeman with 58 squad cars were called in to respond to the riots. They used tear gas and night sticks to try to quell the disturbance. The National Guard was also called in, along with six K-9 units.
After a few weeks of rioting, peace was restored.
The Rev. Dan Headley was in the crowd during the riots. He believes the disturbance has had a long-lasting effect. It is said that the 1966 Division Street Riots marked the beginning of a Puerto Rican political consciousness in Humboldt Park and Chicago. Many social, political, economic, and educational institutions were founded after the riots, including the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School, The Young Lords, Aspira, among many others. Also after the riots, Puerto Ricans began to be elected to governmental offices, such as the State Legislature, City Council, and even the U.S. Congress.
Eleven years later, similar riots in Humboldt Park killed three people and injured hundreds more, Sambolin reported.
Placing blame for the 1966 riots remains unclear, but Chicago Police Superintendent Phil Cline said that today there is a greater representation of Hispanics in the department.
Read more about this topic: Paseo Boricua
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