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From Wikipedia ~


In July 1968, several riots occurred over the span of several days centered in the city's mostly Black populated Wooster Avenue/Edgewood Avenue area. Relations between citizens and the Akron Police Department (APD) were already poor when on July 16, APD officers were called to quell fights in the area between black gangs from the city's north and west sides. Although initially quelled, the gang members continued a running fight with one another and the APD well into the morning. The police department reinforced their patrols in the area and imposed a curfew. The next day many residents of the area gathered on Wooster Avenue, having heard rumors of excessive violence on the part of the APD. The black citizens began berating and challenging the APD officers. With the first arrests of some of the citizens, the level of confrontation and hostilities rose until a full-scale riot was in progress. Most local citizens retreated to their homes or left the area altogether.

The riot spread to downtown Akron, and later that evening the National Guard was mobilized. On the morning of the 18th, Captain Al Monzo and his officers used tear gas in the area, and this ended the riot, although it was not officially regarded as over until the 23rd. The National Guard helped APD clean up the area and ensured that it remained under control. While occupying Akron the guardsmen camped inside the Rubber Bowl stadium. The Mayor of Akron, John S. Ballard, quickly called for an independent investigative commission to detail the events of the riot, and to investigate the root causes of it, and such a commission was appointed on the 26th.