Jan. 10, 1965 - New York Police Commissioner Michael J. Murphy called today for an end to “sick and sinister speculation” about the possibility of another outbreak of race rioting such as occurred in New York City last summer (pictured).
Such talk, he said, is ill-advised. He recalled that last year, week after week, there were warnings of the “long, hot summer” ahead.
The warnings were repeated so often, Murphy said, “that many people began to believe there just had to be an outbreak of violence,” adding: “And, tragically enough, that is just what occurred.”
If attempts are made this summer “to create confusion and disorder,” the Commissioner went on, “we serve notice now that such illegal acts will not be permitted and will be aborted by the swift application of all legal means of enforcement.”
Murphy issued his warning during a speech at a luncheon session of the New York chapter of the American Jewish Committee at the Plaza Hotel.
But he said the Police Department believed the looting and attacks on the police and passers-by in Harlem and Bedford-Stuyvesant last July were committed by thugs and hoodlums who “had no connection or interest in civil rights.”
Murphy did not identify those who he said had made predictions last week of more riots in 1965. But last Tuesday night, several civil rights leaders appeared on a Channel 13 T.V. panel show and warned of continuing discontent in Negro neighborhoods and the possibility of more rioting.
The panelists included Roy Wilkins, executive director of the NAACP, and Whitney Young Jr., executive director of the National Urban League.
Murphy said the New York City policeman was not a “red-necked sheriff and will never be one” and that police in New York have been subjected to “unfair abuse and undeserved criticism.”
Support this project at patreon.com/realtime1960s
Comments