July '64 (2004)

• 83%
• 2004
• Documentary
• Carvin Eison

In the 1950s and 1960s, Rochester, New York became known as a successful city with a thriving business community and few problems. On the other hand, large numbers of poor black southerners had been moving to the city in the recent years. Those black citizens were largely denied the good jobs at local factories. These underprivileged citizens also felt themselves the victims of excessive police scrutiny, as well as police brutality. On a summer night in July 1964, there were altercations between the police and African-American Rochesterians. Those events escalated into riots. Over several nights, Rochester stores were looted and the streets were scenes of chaos and violence. Governor Nelson Rockefeller called out the National Guard to help the police keep order.