<P> The Algiers Motel Incident occurred in Detroit, Michigan, United States, during the night of July 25--26, 1967 during the racially charged 12th Street Riot . At the Algiers Motel, approximately one mile east of where the riots began, three teenage civilians, all of them black, were beaten and killed by police . Nine others--two white females and seven black males--were badly beaten and humiliated by members of a riot task force composed of the Detroit Police Department, the Michigan State Police, and the Michigan Army National Guard, and a private security guard . The incident occurred after reports were received that snipers, a gunman, or group of gunmen had been seen at or near the motel . One death has never been explained as the body was allegedly found by responding officers . Two deaths have been attributed to "justifiable homicide" or "self - defense". Charges of felonious assault, conspiracy, murder, and conspiracy to commit civil rights abuse were filed against three officers and one private security guard . All were found not guilty . </P> <P> The 12th Street Riot began in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 23, 1967 . The Detroit police department at the time was 93% white, of whom 45% working in black neighborhoods were considered to be "extremely anti-Negro" and an additional 34% were "prejudiced". The riot began after police raided a black - owned business that hosted a "blind pig" or illegal bar, during a party to celebrate the safe return of two black Vietnam War veterans . Police had expected a small number of patrons; however, there were 85 or more patrons inside . As the dozens of patrons at the party were being loaded into police vans, a mob of people formed around the vans . One of the sons of the blind pig's owner jumped on the roof of a car and threw a bottle at the police, thus starting the riot, and the mob began throwing rocks and bottles at the police . Numerous businesses were looted or burnt down as the riot spread to other districts of Detroit . At first, police officers were ordered to hold back from responding to the rioting, to prevent an escalation in violence . A curfew was imposed and many people in Detroit stayed home or took shelter . Firefighters were held back from the fires by looters throwing objects at them or by snipers . National Guardsmen were activated by the Michigan government and were patrolling the streets and guarding several large businesses . State Troopers and US Army personnel would also be activated to quell the rioting . </P>

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