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Anti police riots in Michigan
June 18, 2003 - 2:15pm -- nolympics
nolympics submits "Michigan town rocked by riots. Report from BBC
A state of emergency has been declared in a south-west Michigan town rocked by two nights of disturbances which have seen buildings set on fire and people attacked in their cars.
Up to 15 people are thought to have been injured - at least one of them shot at by rioters, while others were beaten and stabbed, the Associated Press news agency said.
The violent protests in Benton Harbor were triggered by the death of Terrance Shurn during a high-speed police chase early on Monday.
The 28 year-old is reported to have lost control of his motorbike, crashing into an abandoned building.
Some residents have blamed the police for his death and have in the past complained of police harassment.
'Unnecessary, unbelievable'
An initial wave of violence lasting about three hours broke out on Monday night in the town on the shores of Lake Michigan about 100 miles (160 km) from Chicago.
This was followed by further trouble on Tuesday night when 300 people are reported to have joined in the rioting.
The rioters threatened to set fire to Benton Harbor police headquarters, as well as nearby vehicles and the town hall, but police stood by to protect them, local police chief Samuel Harris said, according to AP.
Some reports said a curfew was planned for Wednesday.
"It is so unnecessary. It is unbelievable to see this in our community," Mr Harris said.
State police Lieutenant Jospeh Zangaro said police did not know why Mr Shurn was fleeing, although it emerged that his licence had been suspended and a small amount of cannabis was found on him.
Local officials said it was the worst rioting the town of 12,000 had seen since street violence erupted in August 1966 and more than 1,000 National Guardsmen were sent in.
"
nolympics submits "Michigan town rocked by riots. Report from BBC
A state of emergency has been declared in a south-west Michigan town rocked by two nights of disturbances which have seen buildings set on fire and people attacked in their cars.
Up to 15 people are thought to have been injured - at least one of them shot at by rioters, while others were beaten and stabbed, the Associated Press news agency said.
The violent protests in Benton Harbor were triggered by the death of Terrance Shurn during a high-speed police chase early on Monday.
The 28 year-old is reported to have lost control of his motorbike, crashing into an abandoned building.
Some residents have blamed the police for his death and have in the past complained of police harassment.
'Unnecessary, unbelievable'
An initial wave of violence lasting about three hours broke out on Monday night in the town on the shores of Lake Michigan about 100 miles (160 km) from Chicago.
This was followed by further trouble on Tuesday night when 300 people are reported to have joined in the rioting.
The rioters threatened to set fire to Benton Harbor police headquarters, as well as nearby vehicles and the town hall, but police stood by to protect them, local police chief Samuel Harris said, according to AP.
Some reports said a curfew was planned for Wednesday.
"It is so unnecessary. It is unbelievable to see this in our community," Mr Harris said.
State police Lieutenant Jospeh Zangaro said police did not know why Mr Shurn was fleeing, although it emerged that his licence had been suspended and a small amount of cannabis was found on him.
Local officials said it was the worst rioting the town of 12,000 had seen since street violence erupted in August 1966 and more than 1,000 National Guardsmen were sent in.
"