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JOHN T. CORRIGAI\ f . ---·-·- PROSECUTING ATTORNEY ., ' - .

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CUYAHOGA COUNTY ·. CRIMINAL COURTS BUILDING CLEVELAND 14, - OHJ0 .; ~ " I . SPECIAL GRAND JURY REPORT REIATINO TO HOUJH RIOTS Your Honor, Judge Thomas J. Parrino, Presiding Judge, > . Criminal Branch, Common Pleas Court of Cuyahoga County: As a preface to the attached report of the County Grand Jury convened by you in special se~sion for dealing with the rec·e nt Hough Area riots, this Jury would like to make sol"B general .. . ·1'. observation to you. .' These are reinforced by approximately six month~ of reviewing the status or law and order among the people of this County~ I I We assume that the people of Cuyahoga County are in the main typical of people of the whole nation during this latter halt .of the turbulent twentieth century. - It is our firm belief that what America nseda more urgently than anything. else is a renewal of good citi~enship by .-~ all of us. -,l Of equal concern by this Jury are the steady erosion .. of ideals and principles of God and Country end their persistent replacement by the deification of material idols and material 'principals.' We profoundly believe that a rieid adherence by everyone to the established law and order ot this country should instantly replace _the guerilla warfare practiced in the streets and neighborhoods . Whatever we in this country set out to echieve should be accomplished within the ·framework of the laws fashioned torr t~ \ benefit and protection of every citizen and not by any means we think can be employed or the time we fix for ourselves. \ ,, • ·'II, , " �... ' , r -2- 1· \ We believe there should be a re~toration -of the qualities of good faith, of honesty, ' and a willingness to hear out the other person or the other side without resort to viblence and disorder:, , whether 9 around a bargaining table with capital and labor., or . I grievances among people of -different background or ethnic origin. I We believe in an elevation of moral and ethical standards I and conduct, including those in high places in government and in I bueiness and in the professions - - n general going over of our· entire pattern of national life and values. What this country and this community need, in the opinion at this Jury of laymen, themselves citizens and parents and in business and professions, is not so much a blood bath but a good cle&nsing spiritual ba~h • .•, l /. ., I . J· C ... --- J -~ I -- fl)' . , __ . /. �. ,. .' - ' I. .. . This Jury ~as called into special session and directed by Presiding Judge Thomas J. Parrino of Common Pleas Criminal Court~ to inquire specifically into what now has become known as the ·- "Hough Area situation." Judge Parrino directive was in two parts: ONE - To establish the immediate c-a use of the fire bombing shooting, pillaging, general lawlessness and disorder. The Judge requested that this Jury learn whether the outbreak of disorder in this · two mile square, ares, housing 60,000 negro paople, was organized, and, if so, by whom. 'IWO To establish as nearly as possible the be.sic circumstance under which 60,000 humnn beings were living in this relatively restricted area and for whom the life, limb and property of all were placed in jeopardy by the disorders. The Jury has mAde this appraisal within the time limits and facilities available and herein rep9rts its general findings • • -iii __________________ NUMBER ,ONE .......-...-__,;;__ This .Jury finds that the outbreak of lawlessness and disorder was both organized, eresl?.143.215.248.559J,.~~!..2!~~ed ,!;,U re lati_ve ly sma,l} ..~rqug ~£.. !.E!ined ~.~l,PJ,!~.~!iE~,fe!&~-!1!!,s at this business. They were aided a?~ ~~!~- ~~tti.!1,~:1-!., or o~qer~~S.!,, by misguided people of all ages and colors, many of whom are avowed believers _in violence and extremism; and some of whom also are e¼thet members of or officers in the Communist party • . The majority of people in the Hough Area had no part in either the lawlessness or disorders. They have been hindered rather than helped by this major tragedy. j - l , ' �' ... I I-2 I This Jury considers it regrettable and unfortunate for the community's sake tha't the legal statutes . of Ohio and Cuyahoga · County are either so outmoded or inadequate in their scope that these "responsible irresponsibles II cannot at this time be reached I by specific indictments for their infamous activities. j_ By persistent additional investigative effort they may be I reached later on in this fashion. . . (This Jl!l'Y later in this report urges new and ~ore . adequate laws in t~is res.pact.) It is likewise observed by this Jury that it did not have the nocessary special investigative resources which could be and should be focused exclusively in tracking down the required immediate and far reaching evid~nce for conclusive legal action against specific individuals. However, in making this observation; the Jury wisbos · , eapecially and particularly to commend those established arms of . law enforcement which have worked so resource"f,a J.ly, effectitlely ·• and energe,ically in this aggravated situation. By this the Jury means, to be precise and specific, the ,, Clevl:3 land Police Department in all o~ its branches, from the Chief to the newest Rookie, and to Ohio National Guard when invokod by the Governor in this serious community emergency. I The Jury nevertheless must emphasize that with the I limitations imposed by the necessity of at all times guarding the community, the established arms of law enforcement are not equipped ·either with the resources or the investigative facilities to make r such a total all out and ~xtendea inquiry under this situation as is obviously called for. This Jury, in oon1ideration of the basic and wide public interes~, and exercising the latitude granted it under the laws which empower the ct eation of such a body as ours, nonetheless /, I 1. ,. t �... 1 1 I makes reference to individuals and organizations that in varying degrees were contributors to the Hough Area lawlessness and disorder. ). . It further notes the presence of many of these same individuals and organizations in another instance of lawlessness and disorder, that on Superior Avenue, which bore many of the striking similarities to the Hough Area disorders. It notes the further significant fact that the Superior Avenue episode preceded the Hough Avenue disorders by less than a month. Some of the same people were observed in both places on several nights of the disorders. This Jury further believes , that, even though what already happened · is both regrettable and tragic in every conceivable human aspect, 1 there is a ' grave potentiality for repetition of these disorders, or others like them, occurring elsewhere in this_comm~nity . Different techniques might be employed;~ ut the resaj!ts would be equally disastrous or even more so • . Therefore , this Jury believes i ts judgment should be made an i mportant ! ,· part of t he formal record of what has happened and of whatever may happen i n the r ather unpredict able future t owards which we all , a s citizens of thi s communi t y, are mutual ly moving wherever we may l ive ··"'· or ~hatever may be our place in life. Finally ., before making specific r ef er ence to adult l eaders in t his crises areas, and the events leading up to them , the Jury r espectfully calls attention to the ·effective uses made of impressionable emotionally immature and susceptible ·young minds by those who for one reason or another ha·ve set ·out r . to accomplish the i r designs and objecti ves _in Eur ope , Asis , 9out h America and el sewher e. r I I, �I=4 .1 It is no casual happenstance or coincidence that those throwing fire

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bombs, or bricks, or bottles or pillaging or generally· engaged~ dis~rde~ - and lawlessness were in the main young people-obviously assigned, trained and disciplined in the roles t~ey were to play in the pattern of these dual out- · ', I I breaks sepatated by less than one month. Nor, by the same token, is it happenstance, or even just singular coincidence: ---.. 1. - That the overall pattern for firebombing and destruction to both the Superior and Hough Areas was so highly selective; 2. , ). - That the targets were plainly agreed upon; That certain places were indentified to be hit, and that certain other places were similarly spared. On both of these occasions, the Superior and Hough disorders, the presence of teenagers previously referred to was observed by the police, by plaincl?thes officers and underco ver agents who had been assigned for long periods to observe •-~ ,,,1 these youths, With this background firmly established by the Jury's inquiry, and with the notable help of County Prosecutor John T. Corrigan and his staff, particularly Asst. County Prosecutor John T. Patton , this Jury herewith makes ref~rence I to some of the principal and recurring personalities in the chain of events I. which pr€c8ded both the Superior and Hough situations: THE JFK HOUSE \ The JFK House , meaning Jama Fr eedom Kenyata House, is located at 8801 Superior Avenue, The leaders are: Lewis G. Robinson, and Beth Robinson, his wife , livi,ng at 1242 E. 89th Street; Harlell Jones, 9716 Hough Avenue; Albert D. Ware-Bey, 11611 Castiewood • �1•5 Avenue, and Philip Morris,. 7806 Radell A: venue, -- Le.wis Robin~on has been affiliated with the Freedom Fight~s of .9hi~, ~ the Medgar Evers Rifle Club (which he helped to found), The. JFK House, of which he is the ultimate h~ad, The Deacons for Defense , and the Re , olutionary Action Movement. All of these Clubs, t o which Lewis Robinson belongs are black nationalist clubs. Testimony before this Jury discredited Lewis Robinson as a leader concerned with generally altruistic interests in youth but rather points to him as inciting these youths ~to focus their hatreds and as indoctrinating them with his own vigorous philispphy of violence , He exerted a profound influence over the JFK youth and he still doe·s . Harl ell Jones is affiliated with JFK House, the Medgar Evers Rifle Club, the Re volutionary Action Movem€nt; he is vice-pr.esident of the Deacons for Defense i n spite of his publi c di savowals, and had f r equently either presided • .~ '· ' ' 'fr. over or sponsored meetings for black nationalists, and espous es the ultimate I I revoluti onary ,purpos e for adjusting differences or obtaining desired ends . Along with Lewis G. Robinson , Har lell J ones caus ed 2,000 pieces of ' . lit erature t o be pr int ed and circulated, ci~ing alleged ins t ances of "police brutality", and on the eve of t he Hough r iots , circula ted the great est number of these to yout hs of non-voting age under the pl ausible guide of urging thb defeat of a levy at the polls. Special movies of an undi sclosed and volunt ary int erview shown to the Jury presneted Harlell Jones as an outri ght exponent of violence, a black power apostle with a bitter hatred for all whites, a co-foµnder of the Rifle Cl ub, and in commace of at least one Rifle Club. \ 1 �I / I i ,,

I Albert D, ,Ware-Bey, belonged to the same Clubs as Harlell Jones. declined to testify before the Jury. He Police agencies presented !\viden~e· ~hat - ' ' Ware, Robinson and Jones all purchased quantities of rifles, and aLl belonged l to the Rifle Clubs here and in other cities. Ware~Bey expressed no allegiance to this country, professed himself not . to be bound by its laws, and in the opinion of the Jury,by both testimony and his own conduct, was not one who could ,have other than destructive infuluence upon youths either at the JFK House or elsewhere. l There was evidence placed before the Jury that Rifle Clubs wer& formed, that ammunition was purchased, and that a range was established and used, tha~ ;, . speeches ~ere made at JFK House advocating the need for Rifle Clubs, and that instructions were given .in the use of Molotov cocktails, and how and when to throw them to obtain rr.a.ximurn effect. Further, irrefutable evidence was shown to the effect that Robinson pledged reciprocal support to and with the Communist Party of Ohio • • .~ t ·. In addition, Robinson att~nded many meetings at whfch imported Communist . speakers talked and was arrested at one of these. It was established before the Jury that the leaders of the WEB DuBois Club and the Communist Youth Party, with interchangeable officers and virtually indentical concepts, arrived i n Cleveland only a few days before the Hough Area disorders. They took up residence at . 1844 East 81st Street 1 only n short distance 1 - , from the Central point of origin of the Hough Area troubles. .., . r . ._ . . �j I -- 1-7 These men, ~ho came from Chicago, New York ,and Brooklyn, . •• I were Mike Bayer, otherwise known as Mike Davidow ,i Daniel Mac ~ / Ronald Lucas, and Steve Shreefter. They_were seen constantly together. They mafle swift > ¥' . I contact with t he JFK House leader s hip , and with Phil Bart, of Middlehurst Road, Cl eveland Heights, Ohio, artd his wife, Connie, who, the evidence showed, are the -leaders of the Communist · party ,.: /· throughout the Ohio Valley District including Cleveland. With specific regard to the WEB DuBois Club, the evidence l further showed that Mike Bayer, Oaniel Mack , Ron Lucas and Steve Shreefter previously living and residing a l arge part of their l time outside of Cleveland, are currently making plans to move their efforts f rom the Hough Area over to the West Side: That ... they are not empl oyed, are now so far as the Jury knows wi thout any visible means of support but nevertheless are able to carry on 'their _advocacy ?nd to maintain themselves with clothi ng , food • ·iii!• r!. and she l te r f rom some unde t e r mi ned sourceo Finally, ev ~dence wa s presented . ! ha t UJAMA is an or ganizat i on dedicated t o black powe r ., and has be gun i ts e ff ort t o es t ablish itsel f in the Cl e veland a r ea . Their phil os ophy i s ~hat bl a c k people should be gove rned by t hemselve·s in ever y r espe c t and t hat anyth ing pe r t a i ning t o the r ight s of negroes mus t be cleare d t hrough the central organizati on of UJAMA which has flourished in New York, and has spread into other places, and is embraced locally by Lewis Robinson and his Lieutenants at JFK House. In attendance at one specific me eting at which plans for UJAMA in Cleveland were discussed were Robinspn, Jones and Ware-Bey. Also in a·ttendance at this meeting was Cornelius Freeman from Clevel and and Oserjiman Adefumi, and al s o known as Serge King, and Gize ngaga Latunji, representing New York UJ'AMA. I - I , -~ �r .. ,. .I, ! I . I 1-8 It is this Jury's opinion that the investigative authorities have progressed sufficiently to justify the expectatio~ they will ul timately, if either urged or permitted to follow beyond what they have thus far gathered be able to put together all of the pieces to this pattern of lawlessness and disorder. I. Because of t ,_._ s Jury's strong judgment in this regard it earnestly urges .i t-S successors to pursue the Superior and Hdugh disoiders with the utmost vigor and determination! __ ,,, · Nothing l ess ·that this should be permitted in the _pµb lic interest . In thi s section of its report to Judge Thoma~ J, Partfno the Jury wishes to reiterate the fact that the ovetall majority ,~ of the· people livini in the Hough area , dist ~ ~ed, f rustrated, beset with problems unimaginable. to those who do not endure them, .had nothing whatever to do with the se disorders and destructions, • ·tF -,/ and the Jury , on the contrary,., e xpresses its wholesome admiration for their g~ od c i tizenship and restraint in these tense and e motional times. In the course of its investigati on , the Grand Jury has • learned that poli ce a nd fi r e me n we re target s f or snipers a nd

. individuals throwing rocks .and bricks. Further, fire equipment was damaged, particularly hoses, which were cut or attempted to be cut so as to render them useless· in the protection of persons .and property. These acts were a direct affront to lawful authority a nd of ne~essity would lead ,to justifiab1.e lirmed self- protection, unfortunately resulting in occasional injury and death to the innocent. J ' �.,,, '1-9, These senseless . acts cannot be tolerated and the perpetrators should be s ~b Jecte d to seve re pend ties. 1. The police and firemen on the other hand should be commended for their efforts to maintain law and order in th~face · of great personal danger. I The general conduct of our police and fire departments , we feel, cormnqnd and receive the highest r e spect of our law abiding citizens from all groups. It is the recomme ndation of this Grand Jury that all decent l aw-abiding citizens proclaim thei r support of law a nd order and their suppqrt of policemen and firemen in carrying out their duties toward tha t end. · ' This , i n t ur n, wil l of ne ce ss i ty command a course of J conduct on the pa r t of police and f ire men a nd particularly of the .l ' I police, who have more intimate contact with the public, which wi ll be of the. highe st calibe r of e f ficie ncy a nd decency and pa tie nce a nd will t hus c o{ . ri bute to a grea ter re&Jtorat i on of ~J'r American --· -- - - ideal of equal treat ment. . -. As ~arlier in this section o f t he J ury's rJport it was indicated, the Jury now requests that t he Cuyahoga County delega~ tion _to the next session· of the Ohio Assembly give se rious cfu~der- . l / ation to the foll owing suggest ions for new and more inclusive legislation covering such situations as the Superf or and Hough I• /. Area disorders represent. The Jury suggestions therefore are --(1) Inciting to riot. I r' (' No person -with the intent to cause a rio·t shall do any act or engage 'in any conduct whi ch urges a riot, or urges others ~o cornmit _acts of force or violencev or the burning or destroy ing of property, and at a time and place and _u nder circumstances which produce a clear -.. -- - �1-10 nnd present and immediate danger of acts of force or violence or the burning or destroyihg of property. ·, \ Whoever violates this section shall be imprisoned not· less than one nor more than t wenty years. (2) Definition of Riot. Any use of force or violence, disturbing the peace , or any threat to use such force or t ioience, if accompanied by i mmediate power of execut ion involving two or more persons carrying on such conduct and without authority of law, is a riot. (3) En~anced Penalty for Arson or Attempted Arson during a Riot. An amendment to Revised Code section 2907.06 (this section concerns itself with the attempt to burn or se t on f i re or to do any act prel i mina r y t he r e t o or the burning of buildings ): "Upon the pr oclamat i on of . I ~ Governor pre c l a i ming ·• a .st a te of disas t e r or extr eme e mergency because of a ri ot 1 whoeve r v i ola tes t hi s s e ct i on dur i ng suc h pe ri od cove red by said proc l amat i on shall be fi ned not le ss j t han $5,000.00 and i mpri soned not le s s t ha n five nor · mor e than t we nty ye ar s or both. " ( 4) j -- J~- I .. C As sau l t a~ainst a fireman or policeman acting in t he cour se of his duty. No per s on s ha l l a ssau lt a f i r ema n or poli ceman while s uch f i r eman or policeman is acti ng in the cour se r of hi s duties : Whoeve r viol a t es this section shall be fiQe d not more tha n $5,000.00 or impr i s oned not l ess than one I\.'" more than twenty ye ars or both . -· �I-il N~ER 'IWO. In addressing itself to the second of Judge Parrino's directives, namely, the conditions of life prevailing in the Ho~gh Area, this Jury finds: ~ Poverty and frustration, crowded by organized agitators: served as the uneasy backdrop for the Cleveland riots. I l Unfortunatelyp it is the overwhelming mass of innocent and law-abiding citizens who pay the greatest penalty in any cross-fire of violence • ....__ The following inequities and practices contrbuted as a feeding ground for disorder: a. The density of population in the Hough Area. ~. Inadequate and sub-standard housing. c. Charging of exorbitant rents . by absentee landlords. d. Non-enforcement of the housing code. e. Woefully inadequate recreational facilities for children whose uncertain homelife calls for this ~ ,o;:t . kind of wholesome canmunity outl~t 9 and fot ~\he con- .. structive guidance and counsel to offset their regrettable environment. f. Sub-standard educational facilities. as a consequence of l ong neglect, which _, in substantial. fairneee ·, have been great l y improved in recent years but which still call for fur ther effort on the part of officials and community leaders. g ·. 0 Excessive food prices in most instances accompanied ,,, all too frequently ~ith foodstuffs found to be r inferior in freshness or. quality. h 0 The denial of equal economic opportunities. 0 Diminished _incentives by repressed and neglected people. I 1 �I { ______ . 1-12 j~ _The present system of paying women for having children, frequently out of wedlock, or under a relationship loosely described · as "common-law" which enables the father to walk out of his "marital arrangement" to escape his proper responsibilities. > (The current welfare system should be challenged in this respect f or its effect upon the very people who are supposed to benefit. Children brought into the world under such callous and financially expedient circumsta.nces are rarely seen by their father. This system the Jury believes is anything but h~lpful either to the mothers, or the fathers, or the children » or the community. I Surely, this Jury believes, those charged with social I and moral responsibility in this community are capable of devising a much more equitable ~nd effective formula than the prevailing one.) - k. Regardless of how the very large addit i on of negroes f ormerly ~idely dispersed throughout the deep and • -~ 't' mi d-South have migrated to the large northern cities ., ·• l~ke Cleveland , the f act i s that t hese men, women and ch i ldren ar e here . (In many i ns t ance~ t he mode of life t hey find i n s uch large cit ies as Cl eveland d if fers substantia lly fr om that which prevailed in the places whence they came. Freque ntly they fin~ I themselves bewildered and unable quickly t o adjust themse lves to the demands of their ·new surroundings and thus find themselves .frequently at cross purpos~s with the authorities and the old·e r resident~ of the areas in which they find themselves cu~renfly~) I ' \ ·'II, • �-· • I . I-13 Impatience _among the negro people for the improvement of their citizenship is understandable but the opinion has been e~pressed they may be attempting to exact too much too fast for

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.., ...,,.., . the community to bear within an arbitrarily fixed time limit. The fact ·, nevertheless, i s that too many human beings, ) however they arrive in our midst, or whence they came, or why, are living under such completely intolerabie conditions in the --:---__,___ . Hough ·Area at ·the present time, that inevitably the consequences must be futility, frustration, bitterness, and exposure1 to the abrasive forces advocating violence. These factors make them prone to the almost immutable by-products of such prevailing conditions; crime, delinquency, looseliving, tragic deterioration of moral behavior, and the brittle; bitter, hyper-sensitiv i ty which emerges therefrom; and in the aggregate these effects represent potential danger not only to themselves but to the community as a whole . There are no longer moats complacent ly situated i n . whi~h any citizen can live under modern conditions safe l y removed .j;l • from the turmoil and anxiety and bitterness of others , 'vLr respec tive of sk in color, or r elig i ous identif i cation of pol_it ica l inc linations or econom i c and s ocia l e nvironment. Whatever ha ppens i n the large cities of Amer,ica, as ln I I the community of Greater Clevelandw eventually affects all citizens in one way . or anothe r. -· Now, all these c omple x s ocial evils are used as subtle and inflamatory provocations by resident and non-resident organizers who exploit riots such as both the Superior and Hough Area rints in Cleveland. r Where possible, as earlier indicated, this Jury has diligently sought to pinpoint the causes of these riots . ... �' I)' ., . I-14 At this time the return of any additional indictments based upon c~unity vengeance and not upon evidence sufficient to convict in a court of law would not do credit to our democratic society. Realistic and productive goals must now be aet by this community, and that 1 near term emphasis be directed toward: .I l. Improvement in Housing Code Enforcement. 2. Improvement in Police Action and Court Findings against prostitutes, cheat spots, gambling, and the profusion of the numbers of liquor license outlets. Continuing 'd rive for improved garbage and rubbish J· (' . collection; stronger measures against landlords and .... J l' tenants to make this task easier for the City. 4. Put the Urban Renewal Program back on the track I with the full cooperation of the Federal Government AS quickly as possible. • ..:i, '.,/ Our total reso urces must be marshalled to prevent a recurrence of t his enormous tragedy - - a potentb l'ity ,which this Jury strong l y counsels is still present. Wher e pre jud i ce and in j us tice ere cast aside , lthe wilful r / a nd mal i c i ous ag i tat or finds litt l e support f l r his pr{;ocative and destructive acts . This jury does not att empt in this r e poK while sorely tempted to do so, to fix respons ib lli~y upon e ithe r individual or individuals, or oil pressure gr ou.p s or organizations for the J I comr.tunity 9 s failure to mq~e adequately to meet its responsibilities~ It does, however, wish to make unmistakabiy clear that it does not be lie ve this c onmunity has · adequately measured up to its r.e sponsibilitieso . �I I I-15 By the same token· it does not believe that the influential -. leaders in either the Hough Area or in other areas of this c ommunity have measured up to their r esponsibil i ties •. This Jury does at this tir.le urge upon the Mayor, upon the City Council, upon the business, financial and industrial leaders • upon the educat ors and the civic organizations to act now either individually or in concert to put Cleveland in the forefront in meeting the sociological and moral challenges of our times, as in the past thi s community has so conspicuously risen to meet the challenges of the past. This Jury cannot conclude its report with'o ut paying wholehearted tribute tti those wis~ and long-range leaders of this . . comr:iunity who in their great wisdon saw and recognized a situation which now . rests uneasily: on the conscience of the entire country, I ' and i t applauds t hem for their s~lf l ess work , their patienceP their substance , their c_ooperative e f f orts, and the many tangible res ults of t heir good and wise leadership. ·• '". They have set for the r est of us a plateau of good .. cit izenship f or Which we s hould all strive. The time f or total commun ity action is now. W UIS B SELTZER GRANO JURY FOREMAN Att;. 9 - 1966 Received for filing AOO 9 - 1966 E. J. 11asgay Cl erk .... r By J I f . I �