(4 of 9)
Despite the mob's fury, the torching and destruction were remarkably selective. Although some black merchants saw their shops burned out, the crowd concentrated on white-run businesses. The rioters' main targets were white-owned thrift stores, pawnshops, liquor stores, auto parts dealers and chain groceries. Few banks or pharmacies existed in the area. Schools and churches escaped damage, and the homes occupied by blacks looked as untouched as the residences of affluent whites in Coral Gables and Miami Shores.
Some white merchants successfully defended their buildings with guns. American Freight System Inc., which has a large terminal in the area, sent employees to the rooftops to stand watch during the worst nights. "We're pretty well stocked here and ready to fight a war if we have to," said one driver, Rodney Connell. Brothers Alan and Jeff Kaufman sat in their antiques store with a shotgun and pistols to drive off looters. Then some white teen-agers offered to defend the place if they,were given guns and $100 each. Said Alan Kaufman: "They were fantastic. I gave them each a $50 bonus."
But as usual in such rioting, blacks probably suffered the most and will surely be the most affected. A crudely lettered sign outside the Ability Tire Co. read BLACK-OWNED AND OPERATED. But the store was ransacked, and James Price, who worked there, was puzzled. "I was under the impression that this was a rebellion against the white man," he said. "So why did they break in here?"
Overall, the damage was estimated by local officials at about $200 million, with some 6,000 jobs at least temporarily wiped out. Initial surveys are necessarily hasty, and some store owners inflate estimates for insurance purposes. First reports on damage in the Detroit riot put it at $500 million; it was later reduced to $45 million. Still the Miami riots may turn out to be one of the most costly in U.S. history. Beyond that, some 400 people were injured; four of them remained hospitalized in critical condition. A total of 1,267 rioters were jailed.
Startled by the explosion of black violence, Miami's civic leaders invited nationally known blacks to come try to cool the anger. Among them: former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, N.A.A.C.P. Executive Director Benjamin Hooks, Southern Christian Leadership Conference President Joseph Lowery and the Rev. Jesse Jackson of Chicago. But when Young tried to speak to a post-riot rally of some 800 blacks, he was shouted down and had to leave with a protective escort. "What the hell are you doing here?" one angry black screamed at Young as he arrived for the meeting in Liberty City. "The only time we see y'all so-called leaders is when you come here trying to calm somebody down."