Photo: John C. Hillery ~ AP
PODCAST
September 15, 2026 ~ Marie Osborne, WJR’s Director of Community Affairs and News with her piece American 250 Michigan Made: Detroit Riots.
DETROIT ~ The summer of 1967 became a defining moment in Detroit’s history, as frustration over racial inequality, limited economic opportunities and years of strained relations with police erupted into five days of unrest. What began with a police raid on an after-hours gathering on 12th Street quickly grew into a citywide crisis that left dozens dead, injured hundreds and changed countless lives.
For many Detroiters, the uprising marked a turning point that reshaped neighborhoods, families and the future of the city itself. While the unrest accelerated population shifts and economic challenges, it also sparked new efforts to address racial divisions and strengthen communities, helping pave the way for a new generation of civic leadership and activism.
