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October 11, 1966

Looting breaks out in Detroit as residents flee city; thousands trapped on roads

Yesterday’s black rainstorm has led to panic in a previously complacent Detroit [1]. Despite the mayor’s call for calm, his wisdom has fallen on deaf ears. Major freeways, including I-94, I-75, and I-96, are jammed with cars. Evacuation efforts have been an exercise in confusion as police are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the exodus from Detroit.

The city of 1.6 million people is quickly emptying out as families pack up their belongings for parts unknown. Hotels and motels in cities like Flint, Lansing, and Grand Rapids are already full. Several up-north resorts are reported to have re-opened for lodgers, despite being closed for over a month. Some are taking advantage of the situation by charging as much as $50 per night [2]. Those who can’t find a place to stay are staying with relatives or have gone to campgrounds.

But not everyone in Detroit can leave. Many of the city’s poorer residents are stuck in the city, as they do not have cars. Black Detroiters are especially at a disadvantage. There have been several reports that local hospitals are turning away Black patients, while admitting Whites who report radiation symptoms.

Others have taken advantage of the situation by engaging in criminal activities. Looting has been reported at several businesses on West Grand Boulevard, west of Woodward [3]. In response, Mayor Cavanaugh has enacted a citywide curfew between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. The curfew also prohibits sales of alcohol and firearms. Incidents of violence were reported across the metro area as frustrated motorists fought to get out of the city as soon as possible. Several individuals are reported dead or injured in confrontations between angry drivers trying to escape the city [4].

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