16TH STREET VIADUCT

Inscription

16TH STREET VIADUCT

IN THE SUMMER OF 1967, THE NAACP YOUTH COUNCIL PLANNED A MARCH TO PROTEST DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING POLICIES IN THE CITY. ON AUGUST 28TH, 250 MEMBERS GATHERED TO MARCH ACROSS THE 16TH STREET VIADUCT FROM THE PREDOMINANTLY BLACK NORTH SIDE TO THE WHITE SOUTH SIDE.

AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE BRIDGE, THE MARCHERS FACED THOUSANDS OF RIOTERS WHO HARASSED AND ATTACKED THEM AS THEY WALKED TO KOSCIUSZKO PARK. THE NEXT NIGHT, THE YOUTH COUNCIL HELD ANOTHER MARCH AND FACED UP TO 13,000 COUNTER-PROTESTERS; THE NIGHT ENDED WITH DOZENS OF ARRESTS AND INJURIES.

THESE MARCHES SPARKED A MOVEMENT THAT LASTED FOR 200 CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS, FORCING THE CITY TO CONFRONT SEGREGATION. COUPLED WITH ECONOMIC BOYCOTTS, THE MARCHES LED TO THE COMMON COUNCIL PASSING AN OPEN HOUSING ORDINANCE IN APRIL 1968 AND WERE PART OF THE LARGER NATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS.

ERECTED 2024
MARCH ON, MILWAUKEE
FUNDED BY THE WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION

Wisconsin state historical marker for the 16th Street Viaduct, Milwaukee, WI.