Race riot in August 19 to 21, 1991 in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York City
A three-day race riot in Brooklyn pitting Black and Jewish residents, it influenced the 1993 NYC mayoral election and prompted community reconciliation efforts.
Key Facts
- Dates
- August 19–21, 1991
- Location
- Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York City
- Triggering incident
- Driver struck two 7-year-old children after running a red light
- Fatal victims
- One child killed; one Orthodox Jewish student from Australia killed
- Political impact
- Contributed to defeat of Mayor David Dinkins in 1993 mayoral race
- Aftermath
- Black and Jewish leaders launched community outreach program
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
On August 19, 1991, a driver in the motorcade of Chabad leader Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson ran a red light and struck two 7-year-old children of Guyanese immigrants in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. One child died and the other was severely injured, triggering immediate anger among the Black community.
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Black youths attacked several Jewish residents, killing an Orthodox Jewish student from Australia. Over the following three days, rioters looted stores and attacked Jewish-owned homes and businesses. Two weeks later, a non-Jewish man was also killed, believed by some to have been mistaken for a Jewish person.
The riots became a defining political issue in the 1993 New York City mayoral race, with critics accusing Mayor David Dinkins of failing to contain the unrest, contributing to his electoral defeat. In the longer term, Black and Jewish community leaders developed an outreach program aimed at improving racial relations in Crown Heights over the subsequent decade.
Political Outcome
Mayor David Dinkins was criticized for his handling of the riots; the episode contributed to his defeat in the 1993 mayoral election. Community outreach programs were established between Black and Jewish leaders.
Mayor David Dinkins (African American Democrat) in office
Dinkins defeated in 1993 mayoral race, partly due to backlash over riot response