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Rioters on Woodward Ave. near Stimpson, June 21st 1943. By 1943, the population of the city had grown faster than the needs of the people could be provided for, and much resentment was held by some whites against the African-American community, which had since doubled in size since 1933. On June 20th, racial tensions flamed on Belle Isle and a minor skirmish between white and Black youths started rumors that erupted into a deadly race riot. The fighting lasted 36 hours and caused 34 deaths, ending only through the intervention of Federal troops called in to restore order. |