Editing Benton Harbor, Michigan (section)

===Riots===

Benton Harbor has had two major riots, one in 1966 and one in 2003, with smaller ones occurring in 1960, 1967, and 1990.<ref name=hphist/>

====1966====

On August 30, 1966, a riot began after a meeting discussing recreational facilities and police relations with respect to black residents.<ref name=1966chi>{{cite news |title=Negro Crowd Stones Cars in Michigan |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/19118198/chicago-tribune/ |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=September 1, 1966 |access-date=August 15, 2022|page=6 }}</ref> During the riot, a black 18-year-old named Cecil Hunt was killed in a [[drive-by shooting]]; suspects were arrested but the assault charge was later dismissed.<ref name=1966chi/><ref>{{cite news |title=Charge Dismissed in B.H. Racial Shooting |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64303109/charges-dismissed-in-shooting-related/ |work=[[The Herald-Palladium|The News-Palladium]] |date=November 4, 1966 |access-date=August 16, 2022|page=1,12 }} [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/364689918/ Article continued]</ref> Governor [[George W. Romney]] dispatched troops from the [[Michigan National Guard]], who stood down on September 5 when the riot dissipated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.michigan.gov/dmva/0,1607,7-126-2360_3003_3009-27393--,00.html|title=History of the Michigan National Guard: The Tumultuous 1960s: Benton Harbor, 1966|publisher=[[Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs]]}}</ref>

====2003====

In June 2003, several citizens in Benton Harbor demonstrated for two days when black motorcyclist Terrance Shurn, being chased by a police officer, crashed into a building and died. As many as 300 state troopers and law enforcement personnel from neighboring communities were called to Benton Harbor.<ref name=hphist>{{cite news |first=William F. III |last=Ast |title=Violence brings back bad memories for some |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73536677/bh-riot/ |work=[[The Herald-Palladium]] |date=June 19, 2003 |access-date=August 15, 2022|page=4 }}</ref><ref name=cnn>{{cite news |title=Rain, curfew help bring quiet night to Benton Harbor.  |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Midwest/06/18/michigan.unrest/ |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=June 19, 2003 |access-date=January 13, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Ted |last=Hartzell |title=House burned, police vehicles vandalized during Benton Harbor riot |url=http://www.heraldpalladium.com/localnews/house-burned-police-vehicles-vandalized-during-benton-harbor-riot/article_3a7c3fa1-9718-5227-8a52-55aeb605fa92.html |work=The Herald-Palladium |date=June 17, 2003 |access-date=August 15, 2022|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=William F. III |last=Ast |author2=Michael Eliasohn |title=Second night of violence leaves at least 15 injured in Benton Harbor |url=http://www.heraldpalladium.com/localnews/second-night-of-violence-leaves-at-least-injured-in-benton/article_8e19d588-708d-5c05-886e-73fef9b2ff94.html |work=The Herald-Palladium |date=June 18, 2003 |access-date=August 15, 2022|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Scott |last=Aiken |title=Huge police presence, rain keep rioters off the streets |url=http://www.heraldpalladium.com/localnews/huge-police-presence-rain-keep-rioters-off-the-streets/article_724a02f9-9785-5621-8b74-f33996525e89.html |work=The Herald-Palladium |date=June 19, 2003 |access-date=August 15, 2022|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jodi |last=Wilgoren |title=Fatal Police Chase Ignites Rampage in Michigan Town |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06E3D81138F93AA25755C0A9659C8B63&pagewanted=all |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 19, 2003|access-date=July 30, 2008}}</ref>

Indirectly, the riot contributed to the [[Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project#2005|Jimmy Carter Work Project's 2005 activities]] being held in Benton Harbor and [[Detroit]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Kim |last=Strode |title=Carter's Goal: Up to 35 Homes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/366967184/ |work=The Herald-Palladium |date=October 23, 2003 |access-date=August 15, 2022 |page=1}}</ref> A state task force produced a report in 2003.<ref>''Benton Harbor, A Plan for Positive Change: Final Report of the Governor's Benton Harbor Task Force'', Reverend James Atterberry and Greg Roberts, co-chairs, October 15, 2003, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060313183052/http://www.michigan.gov/documents/BH_final_report_76471_7.pdf archived] March 13, 2006</ref>