From Harlem to Ferguson: LBJ's War on Crime and America's Prison Crisis

By

Michael W. Flamm

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A St. Louis police officer stands atop a SWAT vehicle.

Police Sharpshooter, Ferguson Protests

A St. Louis police officer stands atop a SWAT vehicle, with weapon during Ferguson, Missouri protests of 2014.

NYPD, 1964.

NYPD, 1964

Photo provided by author, from Library of Congress.

A group of demonstrators stand at a Ferguson, Missouri protest holding signs that read 'Hands Up, Don't Shoot.'

Ferguson, Missouri Protestors

A group of demonstrators stand at a Ferguson, Missouri protest holding signs that read "Hands Up, Don't Shoot."

Artist William Johnson depicts of the Harlem Riot, 1943 in this piece called Moon Over Harlem.

Harlem Riots, 1943

Artist William Johnson depicts of the Harlem Riot, 1943 in this piece called Moon Over Harlem.

Hoodied Protestors meet in Union Square to protest shooting of Trayvon Martin.

Million Hoodie March, 2012

Hoodied Protestors meet in Union Square to protest shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida.

Nancy Reagan hosts the First Lady's conference on drug abuse at the White House, 1985.

Nancy Reagan, "Just Say No Campaign"

Nancy Reagan hosts the First Lady's conference on drug abuse at the White House, 1985.

An August 2014 'Light Brigade' stands with Michael Brown near Red Arrow Park, Milwaukee.

"Light Brigade" Protest, 2014

An August 2014 "Light Brigade" stands with Michael Brown near Red Arrow Park, Milwaukee.

During the Harlem Riots of 1964, demonstrators carry leaflets of Lieutenant Thomas Gilligan who shot and killed 15-year-old James Powell, a black student.

Harlem Riots, 1964

During the Harlem Riots of 1964, demonstrators carry leaflets of Lieutenant Thomas Gilligan who shot and killed 15-year-old James Powell, a black student.

Portrait of Barry Goldwater.

Barry Goldwater

Portrait of Barry Goldwater.

Police confront a demonstrator during the Harlem Riots of 1964.

Harlem Riots, 1964

Police confront a demonstrator during the Harlem Riots of 1964, photographed by a reporter at New York World Telegraph & Sun.

Lyndon B. Johnson in the Oval Office.

Lyndon B. Johnson, 1964

Lyndon B. Johnson in the Oval Office.

President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Civil Rights Leaders Martin Luther King Jr., Whitney Young, and James Farmer.

Lyndon B. Johnson & Civil Rights Leaders

President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Civil Rights Leaders Martin Luther King Jr., Whitney Young, and James Farmer in the Oval Office, 1964.

A soldier stands observing the aftermath of a race riot in Washington D.C., 1968.

Washington D.C. Race Riots, 1968

A soldier stands observing the aftermath of a race riot in Washington D.C., 1968, following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Richard Nixon.

President Lyndon B. Johnson & Richard Nixon

President Lyndon B. Johnson meets with Richard Nixon before his Presidential nomination in July, 1968.

Undated photograph of teenager, Trayvon Martin.

Trayvon Martin

Undated photograph of teenager, Trayvon Martin.

This 2000 government poster warns youths of the perils of cannabis use.

Anti-Drug Campaign, 2000

This 2000 government poster warns youths of the perils of cannabis use.

Justice for Eric Garner hoody.

I Can't Breathe

Justice for Eric Garner hoody.

Protestors at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in New York City, November 2014.

Black Lives Matter, New York City

Protestors at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in New York City, November 2014.

Protestors in Chicago, Illinois rally against Staten Island grand jury's decision in Eric Garner case.

Black Lives Matter Protest, Chicago

Protestors in Chicago, Illinois rally against Staten Island grand jury's decision in Eric Garner case, December 4, 2014.

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