Summary

Blacks in Durham were excited that Martin Luther King, Jr. planned to visit the city in April of 1968, but King’s assassination changed everything. The shocking tragedy led to riots in black neighborhoods throughout the country, but Howard Fuller was able to initially convince blacks in Durham that street violence was not a respectful way to respond to King’s legacy. Instead of rioting, Ann Atwater and Howard Fuller led thousands in a march and memorial service to honor King. However, the force of rage in the black neighborhood of Hayti could not be contained. A few days after the assassination, arson broke out in eleven different buildings in Durham, most of them owned by whites. With the streets full of violence and chaos, the National Guard was called in to take over the city and they enforced a curfew. Meanwhile, C.P. and...