The story repeats itself: how New York survived the night of nightmares and looting 40 years ago

On the night of July 14, 1977, New York fell into darkness. This immediately led to chaos, looting and violence. Not only men took part in the riots, but even women and children. Just one night turned life in the city upside down. The author of the column “Another movie blog” on the site suggests sorting out why this happened, and what it has to do with the unrest that prevails in the city today. Yandex Zen.

Photo: Shutterstock

On the night of July 14, 1977 in New York, something happened that no one could have foreseen. Blackout occurred in the city and the surrounding suburbs. Overnight, the lights went out in the metropolis. “Almost immediately, pogroms began, similar to which not a single country in the world saw. People seemed to break loose, like mad dogs. A moment ago, they were respectable citizens - and now they have turned into monsters, ”the author writes.

The once peaceful residents of the Big Apple smashed stores all night, robbed shops, set on fire. The city-dwellers inclined to violent behavior also went hunting. “The situation in the city resembled the film“ Judgment Night ”(actually,“ the night of the beasts ”and inspired the authors to shoot),” the publication said.

On the subject: A night of horror and chaos: how looters destroy New York. Photoreport

It is amazing that this could happen in the most economically powerful country in the world. In why this happened, the author suggests sorting out together.

Severe crisis, maniacs and racial problems

Despite the status of the richest city in the world, New York experienced a severe crisis in 1977. People were without work, livelihoods and were depressed. Meanwhile, crime was steadily growing.

In addition, in the same year in New York, the serial maniac Son Sam was operating. He hunted girls, and it was widely covered by the press.

The racial issue was also relevant for the city, as it is today. Not knowing what to do with themselves, young African Americans joined the ranks of street gangs. “These circumstances have become excellent soil for the flared tragedy,” the author believes.

How it all happened

Blackout July 13, 1977 at 20:37 New York time, a severe thunderstorm began.

At 20:45 a lightning strike struck a substation on the Hudson River. It was one of the key facilities in the energy supply of the city. As a result, two circuit breakers tripped in Westchester County.

Then a second lightning bolt damaged the power line between Indian Point Nuclear Power Station and New York. This triggered a full blackout mechanism that plunged the multimillion-dollar city into darkness.

Mass riots. Almost immediately in New York riots broke out. “As early as 21:00, residents of the Bronx and Harlem - areas with a predominantly black population - began to rob the homes of wealthy New Yorkers,” read the article. - Robberies were accompanied by sophisticated violence. Marauders instantly captured the streets, crowding out the police. Mexicans and African Americans actually ruled the city. ”

On the subject: Chaos in New York: city on the brink, protesters ignore curfew

City Hall was forced to declare a state of emergency in the city. But even all the forces of the police pulled into the city were not enough. Outrages were happening on the streets, shops, warehouses and restaurants were burning. “The marauders were happy to show the loot to reporters: TVs, jewelry, cameras, clothes, money, alcohol, food,” the author notes.

If the storefront was protected by a metal grill, it was ripped off by trucks. Not only men took part in these riots, but even women and children. “It was a kind of holiday, festival. Many shouted "Merry Christmas!" and dragged home the looted goods, ”the author writes.

Moreover, some of the looters sought to sell stolen goods right on the spot.

Read more on Forum Daily New York.

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.