On December 20, 1986, Michael Griffith, a 23-year-old Black man, was tragically killed in a racially motivated attack in the predominantly white neighborhood of Howard Beach, Queens, New York. ?Wikipedia

Incident Details:

• Griffith and two companions, Cedric Sandiford and Timothy Grimes, were traveling from Brooklyn to Queens when their car broke down near Howard Beach. ?Wikipedia

• Seeking assistance, they walked into Howard Beach and were confronted by a group of white youths outside a pizzeria. The confrontation escalated, leading to Sandiford and Griffith being severely beaten. ?Wikipedia

• In an attempt to escape the assault, Griffith fled onto the nearby Belt Parkway, where he was struck and killed by a passing motorist.  ?BlackPast.org 

Aftermath:

• The attack sparked widespread outrage and heightened racial tensions in New York City. Civil rights activists, including Al Sharpton, organized protests in Howard Beach and surrounding areas, calling for justice and boycotts of local businesses. ?Wikipedia

• Three local teenagers—Jon Lester, Scott Kern, and Jason Ladone—were convicted of manslaughter for their roles in Griffith’s death. Another assailant, Michael Pirone, was acquitted. ?victorknapp.com

Michael Griffith’s death remains a somber reminder of the racial violence that has occurred in American history and underscores the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality.