WHITES SHOOT NEGRO YOUTH

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31153, 1 September 1966, Page 15

WHITES SHOOT NEGRO YOUTH

(N.Z. Press Association— Copgrtontf

NEW YORK, August 31.

A Negro youth was shot in the stomach by two white boys in Benton Harbour, Michigan, last night as violence broke out for the third consecutive night.

The youth was shot while standing with other Negroes in the city’s commercial district while police were busy repelling a group of more than 100 Negro youths trying to press their way into the city. The youths were forced back into the Negro district. The shooting victim, whose identity was not immediately known, was taken to a hospital, where he underwent surgery for bullet wounds. The police said he was shot

by two white boys, who drove through the commercial district. The authorities kept a tight cordon across the city limits as roving bands of Negroes threatened to break out anew with violence. No other injuries were reported, but the police had to fire shots over the heads of the youths when they tried to force their way into town. Flying Rocks As the Negroes marched up Main street into a commercial area, rocks started flying and a restaurant was damaged. The police started trying to force the marchers back and were pelted with rocks and bottles. A line of some 30 helmeted State police then moved abreast down the street and forced them back. When the marchers refused to clear the streets, the State police declared the gathering an “unlawful assembly” and threatened to arrest anyone who remained in the street.

One Negro, who led the march for a short time, said the demonstration was called to bring to attention what he called the lack of recreational facilities provided by city officials in Benton Harbour.