Fifty years ago this summer, the Central Ward of Newark and portions of its adjacent neighborhoods were transformed from being just part of a tired, rundown inner-city to a stage set for a post-apocalyptic B movie replete with roving bands of looters who swarmed over the stores of local merchants like locusts seizing anything of value they came across. The streets were filled with whatever law enforcement forces the local, state and federal government could muster. Certain of these forces stood by helplessly overwhelmed by the magnitude of the violence and destruction. Others were shooting to kill.

The riot that started on July 12, 1967, and ended five days thereafter took a heavy toll. Twenty-six people, mostly African-Americans, were reported killed; another 750, including 353 civilians, 214 suspects, 67 police officers, 55 firefighters, and 38 military personnel, were injured. More than 1,000 were jailed. Property damage was estimated to have exceeded $10 million. The riot was the worst civil disorder in New Jersey history.

The upheaval is thought to have been sparked by a rumor that a black cab driver had been killed by Newark police after he was stopped and taken into custody for driving recklessly while on the revoked list. A large crowd gathered at the 4th Precinct where he was being held. Matters rapidly spiraled downward thereafter.