Collection of 1967 Newark Rebellion newsclippings

The 1967 Newark Riots were a period of violence and civil disturbance in Newark, New Jersey, from 12 July 1967 - 17 July 1967. Sparked by the arrest and rumored death of an African American cab driver named John Weerd Smith by two white Newark police officers, the riots are considered to be the result of neglect, powerless, and disenfrachisement of the city's African American population, as well as police brutality towards African Americans, general unemployment, poverty, and housing concerns.

On 12 July 1967, two white police officers, John DeSimone and Vito Pontrelli, arrested an African American cab driver, John Weerd Smith. After crowds observed Smith being dragged into the Newark Police Station, rumors began that he had died in police custody. Crowds of African Americans gathered at the Police Station in protest, and the station was stoned. Mayor Hugh Addonizio initially released a statement that the incident was isolated.

Later on 13 July, crowds gathered in downtown Newark outside the police station and violence and looting erupted. Escalating violence and rumors of firebombings prompted Mayor Addinizio to request assistance from New Jersey Governor Richard Hughes, who called in the National Guard in the early morning hours of 14 July. By 17 July, violence had subsided and the National Guard departed.

During the six days of rioting, 26 people were killed, more than 700 injured, and property damage done that totalled between $10-15 million. Many stores were looted, particularly on Springfiled Avenue and the downtown area, and extensive damage was done in the primarily African American Central Ward area. Gunfire was exchanged between police and civilians, and there was significant sniper activity by African American civilians targeting police and fire fighters. National Guardsmen and police also did significant damage to the stores and property of African American citizens regardless of their involvement in the riots.

In February of 1968, the Commission on Civil Disorder, set up by Governor Hughes to investigate the riots and events leading up to them, cited neglected social ills and frustrations as the cause and called for sweeping social and governmental reforms to correct these and "a pervasive feeling of corruption" in Newark.

During the Newark riots, race-related violence also erupted in Plainsfield, New Jersey and some other surrounding areas.