This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the 1967 rebellion in Detroit. Numerous organizations have worked to commemorate the five days of civil unrest, which started on July 23, 1967. The uprising—often called a “riot” but now commonly referred to as a “rebellion”—left 43 people dead, over 1,100 injured, over 7,200 arrested, and 2,000 buildings destroyed. It started at 12th and Clairmount, where a series of events will take place at a revitalized park this weekend, including opportunities for those who are interested to learn more about the history of the events and what we can learn from them moving forward. We've included some events you might be interested in, but many, many more can be found through Detroit '67.
Film
The Detroit Free Press produced the documentary 12th & Clairmount, which has shown at a limited number of screenings earlier this year. In the next few weeks, there will be more opportunities to catch the documentary, which was compiled from home video and news footage. Cinema Detroit also has screenings, but they are sold out at this point (we’ll add more as we find them).
- The Senate Theater will air the documentary Thursday, July 20 at at 7:30, followed by a panel and Q&A.
- The Downtown Detroit Partnership will have a free screening at Campus Martius Park on Thursday, July 27 at 8 p.m. Guests can bring chairs and blankets to sit on, and they’re encouraged to show up early to get a seat.
- The Detroit Historical Museum will hold screenings August 5 at 6 p.m. and August 6 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10.
Detroit, a movie by Kathryn Bigelow, will hold its world premiere here in Detroit at the Fox Theatre on July 25. It’s an invite-only affair. The movie will be released nationwide on August 4. Cinema Detroit will be the only theater showing Detroit, and tickets can be found here.
Theater
Dominque Morisseau’s play Detroit ‘67 will be performed at a variety of locations:
- Gordon Park: Sunday, July 23 at 2 p.m.
- North Rosedale Park Community House (18445 Scarsdale St.): July 26-27 at 7 p.m.
- Detroit Institute of Arts: August 10 at 7 p.m.
Commemoration
On Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23, Gordon Park, located at 12th Street (Rosa Parks Boulevard) and Clairmount will hold activities to commemorate the anniversary. The weekend includes a historical marker dedication, kids activities, food, art, and music. The park has recently been renovated and will be a community, family-friendly space.
Tour
A bus tour through important sites of the rebellion, plus historical lectures and context, will start from the Charles H. Wright Museum. Tickets can be found here.
Pedal to Porch will be holding a community bike ride around the Grandmont Rosedale neighborhood on Saturday, August 5. There will be live storytelling and displays about the events leading up to the ‘67 uprising.
Exhibits
Detroit Historical Museum: Detroit 67: Perspectives is running through 2019. It details progress that has been made since ‘67 and what we can do moving forward.
The Walter P. Reuther Library has a web-based exhibit called 12th Street, Detroit, 1967: Employment, Housing, Policing, and Race Relations in Evidence. The exhibit is a compilation of primary sources from the library for those who want to research the events.
The Charles H. Wright Museum’s Say It Loud: Art, History, Rebellion will run from July 23-January 2. The exhibit will include installations outside and inside the museum.
In collaboration with the Wright Museum, the Detroit Institute of Arts will present Art of Rebellion: Black Art of the Civil Rights Movement, July 23–October 22.
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