Talk:List of incidents of civil unrest in the United States

Question

ots in columbus ohio after ohio state football games are not listed, any reason for that?

unless your fingers are broken, why don't you add to the list. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Ecomcon (talk • contribs) 02:18, 10 May 2009 (UTC)

What about all the civil unrest and arrests in the Occupy Wall Street and other Occupy events? Here is a list of sourced stories about them: http://biggovernment.com/jjmnolte/2011/10/28/occupywallstreet-the-rap-sheet-so-far/

and here is one for the Tea Party as well: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/strange-scene-10-arrested-as-tea-party-watchers-heckle-police.php

I am sure some of these qualify, right? SurfinCowboy (talk) 18:13, 11 November 2011 (UTC)

The problem is that there is no clear criteria for what qualifies for inclusion in this article, beyond that the incidents took place after the end of the Revolutionary War. For example, one could argue that the Kent State shootings should be included, because it was an act of violence involving involving American civilians; but it shouldn't because the government representatives--the National Guard--initiated the lethal force, & that force was irresponsibly out of proportion to the actions of the demonstrators. Another kind of violent incidents that should not be included would be American police riots. (Yes, they happen.)--llywrch (talk) 22:57, 11 August 2013 (UTC)

Miami riot - 1988 or 1989?

Seems to have been in 1989 – Dr. Carter's letter to the NMA was published in December 1989; this article shows a riot in January 1989. Google News makes 1988 look pretty quiet. --CliffC (talk) 19:59, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

!8th century

Most of the incidents mentioned under the header 18th century took place prior to the foundation of the United States. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 94.210.172.247 (talk) 20:00, 14 December 2009 (UTC)

giffords

how is that civil unrest? It was a murder and attempted murder. Civil unrest hardly —Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.78.207.135 (talk) 21:21, 29 January 2011 (UTC)

Split events preceding 1776 to new article referenced as "List of incidents of civil unrest in Colonial North America" (or something similar)

The United States of America, as a geopolitical entity under its present form of government, did not come into existence until the year 1788, when the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified.

I suggest that this article be split at either 1776, if one wants to include listings for the confederated (adjective, NOT "Confederate") United States of America (as established by the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation), or 1788, if one wants to start after ratification of the United States Constitution. Adams kevin (talk) 00:40, 1 January 2012 (UTC)

See also User_talk:Necrothesp#Re:_List_of_incidents_of_civil_unrest_in_the_United_States. Without sources, I'm leaning towards outright deletion. Viriditas (talk) 02:14, 1 January 2012 (UTC)

Personally, I see no reason to delete this article outright, since a large majority of the linked topics do exist as legitimate articles on WP, and are themselves referenced. However, it may be worthwhile to take a look at converting this list into a date-enumerated category, as mentioned in the linked User-talk discussion (immediately above). As far as bias on the part of the list's original author is concerned, I have not done any analysis (yet), and so cannot at this point make any judgements to that effect. Adams kevin (talk) 05:35, 1 January 2012 (UTC)

Go ahead then, and be bold and make your changes. Viriditas (talk) 06:07, 1 January 2012 (UTC)

Noone made the change, so I was BOLD and made the change. I went with 1776 as the changeover year Op47 (talk) 19:55, 18 February 2012 (UTC)

Impartiality of the Bundy Standoff's entry

I do not believe that the entry regarding the Bundy Standoff is at all impartial. I think that the principles of neutrality of Wikipedia are being ignored or disregarded by the entry, quoted below. "Bundy militia wields weapons to oppose tyranny and save stolen cows from Federal abuse." The entry clearly states that the Federal Government of the United States is acting in a tyrannous manner; this is not necessarily true, and is a debatable political issue. Additionally, alleging that the cows removed from Mr. Bundy's possession under due process of law are going to be abused is highly inflammatory, if not mildly libelous. I would suggest something like: "A standoff occurs between anti government militias and Federal forces over a land dispute between Clive Bundy and the Bureau of Land Management. — Preceding unsigned comment added by AlasdhairM (talk • contribs) 19:20, 3 May 2014 (UTC)

Zimmerman verdict unrest

There should be a section for these incidents, there were at least three relatively large incidents following the verdict in Oakland, LA and Houston. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 142.161.97.237 (talk) 17:18, 18 June 2014 (UTC)

Date Headings

The year 2000 is erroneously listed under 21st Century. 2000 is the last year of the 20th Century, not the first year of the 21st. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.250.255.199 (talk) 18:45, 29 April 2015 (UTC)

So much junk

"List" articles should only list things with support in linked articles. And should not overlink, so that one can find the right link easily. I'm part way through cleaning up, but getting weary. I think I've done 1970s to date, but 1960s and earlier could use help. Dicklyon (talk) 03:36, 10 February 2016 (UTC)

Women's March on Washington - Jan 21, 2017, should not be in this list, since it was a peaceful demonstration and there was no violence, it should be included in the List of Protest Marches in Washington, DC, not here.

American Civil War

Why is the American Civil War not listed on here as an incident of civil unrest? Tonytnnt (talk) 16:54, 4 January 2018 (UTC)

Because The Civil War was an out and out war. Which goes beyond just temporary civil unrest. John Brown's raid is included because it occurred before the Civil War even though it set the stage for what was to come.

1858 San Luis Obispo vigilante lynchings of banditos

How in the world does this meet the criteria for civil unrest? Why is this listed here? Viriditas (talk) 20:48, 29 May 2020 (UTC)

I wasn't the one that added the original bullet point, so if you don't feel it meets the criteria, I don't really object to removal. To be honest, I'm not exactly certain it belongs either, but I felt uncomfortable moving it without doing more research into the incidents. The only issue for me would be whether we should remove the other "vigilance committee" that's listed in the same subsection, the one having to do with the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance in 1851. Both are essentially cases of vigilante justice, which were essentially mob-enforced rule of lawless regions. I think if you move the information anywhere, it probably calls for improving the pre-existing vigilance committee article, and adding it to the pre-existing Vigilantism page which has a subsection American vigilantism and already includes a bullet point on the San Francisco Committee. If you agree, I'm happy to move the info now. Kyrios Sampson (talk) 21:07, 29 May 2020 (UTC)

I looked at several sources online about it, including the masters thesis on the subject by Joseph Hall-Patton. I didn’t see anything resembling civil unrest, but I’m willing to admit I’m wrong or mistaken. I would agree with the move at this point. Thanks. Viriditas (talk) 21:14, 29 May 2020 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 1 June 2020

Would the Ahmaud Arbery protests qualify for this list? 67.183.206.53 (talk) 19:07, 1 June 2020 (UTC)

 Not done: it's not clear what changes you want to be made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format and provide a reliable source if appropriate. JTP ^{(talk • contribs)} 00:33, 2 June 2020 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 4 June 2020

The Baltimore riots included the arson of a CVS store. Look at any news broadcast covering it for proof. 173.64.101.203 (talk) 00:04, 4 June 2020 (UTC)

 Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. And also I don't think it is necessary to start listing every minor incident that happened during those protests... RandomCanadian (talk / contribs) 00:11, 4 June 2020 (UTC)

Image for "George Floyd protests in Minneapolis on May 29" under year 2020

Shouldn't this be labeled as a picture of riots? or, even better, an actual picture from the protests be used based on the theme of the other civil unrest subjects? Wikipedia should be impartial and the image pared with the caption pushes an agenda. 73.153.5.105 (talk) 15:09, 14 June 2020 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 21 June 2020

Change this line about 2011 Madison Wisconsin protests:

• 2011 Madison Occupation. Portestors storm and occupy the Wisconson state capitol building for 18 days.

To include link relevant wikipedia article like most of the other lines and correct spelling errors:

• 2011 – Madison Occupation. Protestors storm and occupy the Wisconsin state capitol building for 18 days. Cdemos (talk) 03:57, 21 June 2020 (UTC)

 Done MadGuy7023 (talk) 11:28, 21 June 2020 (UTC)

Semi-Protected Edit Request July 3rd

Add "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone" to lists of civil unrest. Almost 20 days of seven blocks occupied in Seattle, Washington. Police Station overtaken and multiple shootings occurring in the region. This is very significant long term civil unrest and should be documented. You can link this to another Wikipedia page that is named "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone".

Semi-Protected Edit Request Jul 16-- 2017 May Day protests

"violence breaks out at May Day protests in Olympia, and Portland, as masked anarchists damage property and clash with police." A citation is needed for the "masked anarchists" or this needs to be rephrased as "protestors damage property and clash with police" to meet NPOV. FiduciaryAkita (talk) 03:17, 17 July 2020 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 29 August 2020

george floyd is listed as "murdered" however, the cause of death was not neck trauma. George floyd died from cadio eschimia caused by anxiety and dehydration, (from being on meth and the extreme drug fentanyl) and exacerbated by covid-19, and preexisting arterial sclerosis.

He began complaining when he was placed in the suv. not on the ground. Ignoring his counterfeitting (a serious problem) and his prior armed robbery. He was a guy so messed up that he could not survive being placed in a vehicle.

it wasn't a murder. and btw blacks are 12 times more likley to kill whites than reverse. (fbi crime stats murder by rare) the page for the incident lists "death" not murder. so its a "death" while in custody. not a killing.

Tim 96.245.65.71 (talk) 13:22, 29 August 2020 (UTC)

 Not done: most of what you've written is irrelevant, and - especially because you've given no reliable sources - could be considered a violation of Wikipedia's biographies of living persons policy. Seagull123 Φ 16:26, 29 August 2020 (UTC)

https://www.npr.org/sections/live-updates-protests-for-racial-justice/2020/06/04/869278494/medical-examiners-autopsy-reveals-george-floyd-had-positive-test-for-coronavirus https://www.hennepin.us/-/media/hennepinus/residents/public-safety/documents/floyd-autopsy-6-3-20.pdf — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2A01:CB00:86A1:A300:DC3D:B007:5C07:55FE (talk) 23:41, 5 September 2020 (UTC)

I cut out the entire Post Floyd section

and moved it here. It has to have some references.

• 2020 – Chicago Riot, Aug 10, The rioting and looting was sparked by a shootout between police and a suspect in the city's Englewood section on Sunday afternoon. After the shooting, social media posts encouraged people to start looting in the downtown area of Chicago. Thousands converged on the area. Looting occurred along the Loop, Gold Coast, Magnificent Mile and other areas. 400 police were deployed to deal with the looting. More than 100 people were arrested, 13 officers were injured, a civilian and a security guard were were shot.
• 2020 - New York City BLM protest, September 4, About 150 BLM supporters, calling themselves the New Afrikan Black Panther Party and the Revolutionary Abolitionist Movement engaged in three hours of vandalism in Manhattan on Friday. Store windows were smashed and graffiti was sprayed on buildings. Ten stores were damaged with an estimated cost of the damage being $100,000. Eight protesters were arrested.

Carptrash (talk) 05:27, 19 September 2020 (UTC)

And this too.

• • 2020 – Lancaster disturbance/ Ricardo Munoz protests, Sept. 13-14, Protests erupted in Lancaster, PA after a police officer shot and killed Ricardo Munoz, who had charged at him with a knife. A group of over a hundred demonstrators gathered in front of the Lancaster Police headquarters to protest the killing. When the protesters failed to disperse, police used pepper spray and tear gas on the crowd. Rocks, bottles and bricks were thrown at the police, buildings and vehicles were damaged and dumpsters were set on fire. The disturbance last into the early hours of the next day. Police arrested 13 people on arson and riot-related charges.

Carptrash (talk) 23:13, 19 September 2020 (UTC)

NPOV Issues

Folks, not to be "that guy", but how is it that this list article manages to overlook CHAZ/CHOP - an armed secession movement that captured and held a portion of downtown Seattle for approximately six weeks - or the over 90 days of continuously declared riots in Portland? I don't have time to unpack the bias of such a large group of editors, but flagging this article with NPOV issues seems appropriate. 74.135.25.164 (talk) 12:17, 27 January 2022 (UTC)

Boldy add it then. The rest of your statement is useless ranting if you do not put in the work and expect others to do so for you.Slywriter (talk) 15:18, 27 January 2022 (UTC)

June 2022 pro choice riots following overturning of Roe vs Wade by SCOTUS

Looks like its going to be bad, talk of martial law in some areas is already being hinted at by administrations. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.190.166.126 (talk) 17:54, 25 June 2022 (UTC)

2020-2022 subsection getting out of hand with description length

I believe we should follow a standard of a brief one to two sentence synopsis of incidents for each listed. The page goes from listing the date and no. of casualties, to brief recaps, and finally, with recent incidents, to overblown summaries for each element. There should be a consistency agreed upon here for the page. Adam8410 (talk) 18:39, 30 August 2022 (UTC)

Proposal: Split redirect "Political violence in the United States" into its own article

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section. A summary of the conclusions reached follows.

The result was support. TheAmazingRaspberry (talk) 18:55, 14 September 2025 (UTC)

---

Currently, Political violence in the United States redirects back to this article. I am proposing we turn that redirect into a separate article that covers the history of political violence in the U.S., rather than a list like this article. Following the recent killing of Charlie Kirk, a number of prominent news sources are referencing a "history of political violence in the U.S." or something similar, and I think it would be best to have an article covering the history of it from the USA's founding to the present. (to be clear, I am proposing an article that covers the entire history of political violence in the U.S., not just recently).

TheAmazingRaspberry (talk) 22:24, 11 September 2025 (UTC)

Discussion

• Support. @TheAmazingRaspberry: you are free to use all of the content I have in my sandbox over at User:Viriditas/List of U.S. domestic terror threats, incidents and attacks incited by Donald Trump for your new article. There's a lot of unused sources I never got around to at the bottom of the page. I had another sandbox page that was a subpage of a particular era of political violence in the United States, but I can't find it. I only had created one paragraph that explained that right-wing political attacks (or domestic terrorism depending how it was defined) had replaced left-wing political attacks in the US by the 1990s and in the post-9/11 era, outnumbered left-wing political attacks by a significant margin. Right now, my interest is in documenting the right-wing internecine war that has been going on in the background, with conservative insiders reporting that they are subject to more threats by their own party than they are by the left. This has gone mostly unreported due to the same threats being waged against the media. In other words, in the Trump era, the way the GOP maintains a unified front is due not to loyalty to Trump's agenda, but because of political threats to their own careers and families coming from the right. This is the subject that interests me the most and I would love to add a section on it to your new article. It should also be said that so-called political violence from the left in the US is almost non-existent, with right wing activists pointing mostly to minor incidents that can be reduced to just a handful of people, while on the right, the number of incidents represents the majority of political violence in the US since the 1990s. Unfortunately, the US media has promoted false balance, pretending that the left is just as much responsible for political violence in the US as the right. Nothing could be farther from the truth, and frankly, it's best classified as disinformation. In addition to these issues, there are several interesting subtopics that have received coverage. This includes: the supposed infiltration of domestic law enforcement at all levels by white supremacists, the role of foreign state actors in amplifying conflicts and disputes, the role of tech companies and social media in encouraging political violence, and the phenomenon of far right wing accelerationism, which seeks to attack notable people as well as critical infrastructure in the US as a way to instigate a civil war. This is a large topic with many moving parts. Viriditas (talk) 23:33, 11 September 2025 (UTC)
• I would support the creation of an article at political violence in the United States and removing the redirect. It seems like a distinct topic. Anne drew (talk · contribs) 03:14, 12 September 2025 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.