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The shootouts
The shootout began on the evening of July 23, 1968 in the eastern section of the Glenville neighborhood. Cleveland police officers were watching Fred Ahmed Evans and his radical militant group, who were suspected of purchasing illegal weapons. It was not clear who shot first, but Evans and the police exchanged gunfire. The shootout attracted a large crowd that was mostly black, young, and "hostile". When it became clear that the police were ill-equipped to handle the situation, Mayor Carl B. Stokes called in the National Guard. Before the night was over, seven were dead (some newspapers reported six) and fifteen were wounded.
Aftermath
Removal of white police officers
The following day, Stokes decided to remove all the White police officers from Glenville stationing only African American police officers and community leaders in the predominantly black community, to prevent further rioting and ease tensions in the area. However, there was continued looting and arson throughout the six-square-mile area. On July 25, more police officers and the National Guard entered Glenville and by July 28, order was restored.
Legal issues and imprisonment
Evans surrendered to police on the morning of July 24. He was tried and found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. During his trial, it was discovered that Evans had received some $6,000 in funds from Cleveland: Now!, a program Mayor Stokes had initiated to help revitalize Cleveland neighborhoods. Donations for the program subsequently plummeted. Despite this, however, Stokes managed to win reelection for a second term as the city's mayor.
References
- The Encyclopedia Of Cleveland History by Cleveland Bicentennial Commission (Cleveland, Ohio), David D. Van Tassel (Editor), and John J. Grabowski (Editor) ISBN 0-253-33056-4
- The Plain Dealer, July 24, 1968. 3 Police, 3 Civilians Killed on East Side; Guard Called.
See also
