NCJ Number
151322
Journal
Maclean's Volume: 105 Issue: 20 Dated: (May 18, 1992) Pages: 24-35
Date Published
1992
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Four articles examine the plight of black juveniles in Canada, the riot of May 1992, riot causes, and the wave of juvenile crime in Ottawa.
Abstract
The riot of black youths in May 1992 stemmed from a march to protest the police beating of Rodney King in Los Angeles and the recent killing of a young black man by a white policeman after a late-night foot chase. What began as an orderly protest became an uncontrolled rampage. Groups of youths stormed through Toronto's central retail district, smashing windows, looting stores, and pelting police with rocks and empty bottles. Police eventually quelled the violence, but later in the week there were several more outbreaks of vandalism and tense standoffs between crowds of youth and riot-ready officers. One article details the nature and timing of the riot events. Another article reviews the history of black immigration to Canada and the socioeconomic conditions in which many urban blacks live. An article written by a young black man notes that although some work has been done to address problems in black communities, politicians and policymakers generally ignore the complaints and suggestions of leaders and residents of black neighborhoods. A hopelessness pervades many black neighborhoods, such that the only viable pathway to economic advancement appears to be drug dealing. An article on teenage crime in Ottawa focuses on violent gang behavior, the escalating use of weapons, and police and community efforts to address this increase in violence by youth.