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Smoldering Liberty City: Remembering The McDuffie Riots

State Archives of Florida

Thirty-five years ago, Miami's Liberty City was smoldering -- flames leapt from the shells of cars while people looted businesses.

Eighteen people died, and more than $100 million worth of property was destroyed.

The McDuffie Riots were more violent than what happened in Baltimore and Ferguson, but there are lots of similarities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW8Ybu-2-IM

The destruction here came after a slew of confrontations between police and black Miamians. The tension reached its peak when police were acquitted in the death of Arthur McDuffie, a black insurance broker from a well respected family.

Press play to hear from three Miamians who witnessed the riots, and scroll below to see images from Liberty City's streets then.

 

2015-05-19_644844_lh.mp3
Click to listen to part two of this story.

Credit State Archives of Florida
A victim of riot violence is treated in Liberty City.
Credit State Archives of Florida
A checkpoint was set up around sections of Liberty City. Movement in and out of the area was severely restricted.
Credit Miami Herald
The front page of the Miami Herald on Sunday May 18, 1980, the second day of the riots.
Credit State Archives of Florida
A looted store in Liberty City.

Credit State Archives of Florida
Credit State Archives of Florida

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