Cairo riot
Encyclopedia
The Cairo riot was a race riot
in Cairo, Illinois
that began on July 17, 1967 and persisted through three days of riots and protest
s.
The incident began with the alleged jailhouse suicide
of Pvt. Robert Hunt, a young African-American soldier on leave
in his hometown of Cairo. Police said Hunt hanged himself with his t-shirt, but Cairo's African-American residents challenged that story. The death touched off three days of riots and protests, followed by a seven-year renewal of civil rights
activities in the city.
Race riot
A race riot or racial riot is an outbreak of violent civil disorder in which race is a key factor. A phenomenon frequently confused with the concept of 'race riot' is sectarian violence, which involves public mass violence or conflict over non-racial factors.-United States:The term had entered the...
in Cairo, Illinois
Cairo, Illinois
Cairo is the southernmost city in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is the county seat of Alexander County. Cairo is located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. The rivers converge at Fort Defiance State Park, an American Civil War fort that was commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant...
that began on July 17, 1967 and persisted through three days of riots and protest
Protest
A protest is an expression of objection, by words or by actions, to particular events, policies or situations. Protests can take many different forms, from individual statements to mass demonstrations...
s.
The incident began with the alleged jailhouse suicide
Prisoner suicide
Prisoner suicide is suicide by an inmate in a prison. Prisons in the United Kingdom had a sharp rise in suicides between 1972 and 1987, with hanging being the most common suicide method. A study found that 47% of the deaths in Finnish prisons were suicides. Large percentages of those who commit...
of Pvt. Robert Hunt, a young African-American soldier on leave
Leave
Leave may refer to:* Leave , a 2002 Mandopop album* "Leave ", a 2004 R&B song* "Leave" , a 2000 pop rock song...
in his hometown of Cairo. Police said Hunt hanged himself with his t-shirt, but Cairo's African-American residents challenged that story. The death touched off three days of riots and protests, followed by a seven-year renewal of civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
activities in the city.