THE NEWARK RIOTS (CIVIL RIGHTS.) CURWIN, ROBERT. NEWARK (supplied title). Mixed media collage 18 x 12, affixed to a matte 24 x 18 inches. The matte is covered with signatures of people from Newark, in appreciation for Curwin's work on behalf of the community before, during and after the 1967 riots. [Newark, circa 1967]
a unique piece of art, given to robert curwin by members of newark's community. Curwin (1934-2015) scholar, soldier, journalist, co-founder of Newark's chapter of CORE, and tireless civil rights advocate was prominent in trying to tamp down the building anger that led to the 1967 Newark riots. The riots began in reaction to the death of black cab driver John Smith at the hands of Newark police officers; they ended with 23 dead. In the end it turned out Smith had been stopped for 'tail-gating' and going the wrong way on a one way street. Curwin never lost his dedication to the city he loved, and was instrumental in helping to elect Kenneth Gibson, Newark's first black mayor.
