Asbury Park Mark: The Asbury Park Riots of July, 1970!

Asbury Park Mark: The Asbury Park Riots of July, 1970!

The Asbury Park Riots of July, 1970!

The Asbury Park Riots

This summer 2010 is the 40th anniversary of what is perhaps the single most significant event in Asbury Park’s entire 217 year history. It was 7 days and nights in the summer of 1970 that changed the economic, political, social, cultural and even physical landscape of this town, forever, known simply as “The Asbury Park Riots”.

To understand what happened that summer, and why a community would turn against itself, it’s essential to understand the context. While perhaps an easy question – the answer is not.

What we do know is that:

It was 1970 - Riots, especially race riots, were a regular part of the evening news. These included the 1969 York Race Riots in York Pennsylvania and perhaps most importantly, the “Long Hot Summer of 1967” with race riots in: Tampa, Huston, Detroit, Buffalo, Minneapolis, Newark, and Plainfield. Racial tension was simply part of the national lexicon.

At the local, state and national level, African-American leaders had been advocating for education, job training, recreation and drug programs for youth – for years. And most of those had gone un-met. And things were no different in Asbury Park.

In October of 1970, The Christian Science Monitor would do a story where they reported that “Black teenagers were particularly angry that day, apparently over what they deemed to be discrimination in the lucrative summer job market along the beaches. White kids from far off towns, rather than local blacks were snagging the most pleasant and highest paying jogs in the resort, hotel, restaurant and water front concessions”. It went on to say that “Here were young people apparently ready and eager to work, the sons and daughters of blacks who, in past years had been specifically brought to Asbury Park to work at a wide range of jobs in the hotels and restaurants. Why in the name of all that’s wise and right, should they not have been given the good, satisfying, lucrative jobs”?

There were reportedly over 700 applications for just 246 jobs available at The Neighborhood Youth Corps. Compared with over twice that many jobs available, the year before.

With the temperature in the high 90’s, no jobs, no hope for jobs, no recreation programs, and no real indication that city fathers were listening to their concerns – the west side youth were frustrated, angry and most likely feeling a sense of hopelessness. Once the fighting started, it was most likely those feelings of anger and hopelessness that fuled it even farther.

The trouble started when a group of young people started breaking some windows after a youth dance at the West Side Community Center on the night of July 4th. The violence increased in intensity, and scope over the course of the next 7 nights. While extensive and far reaching, the rioting and damage was essentially limited to the major entertainment, business and retail district of the Springwood Ave, on the west side of Main St. Before it was all over, there would be over $4 million in property damage, 167 arrests, 165 injured, 15 police injured, and countless of families made homeless.

Monday, July 6th was a day of fire bombs and looting. A prime target was a department store on Springwood Ave. Long under white ownership, the business had just recently been sold to another white man who had quite publically outbid a black man.

That day, the rioting increased significantly and Police Chief Thomas S. Smith called in officers from surrounding communities to assist. Mayor Joseph F. Mattice declared a state of emergency and later that day ordered a curfew from 10:00 pm to 6: 00 am. The curfew was to remain in effect for the next three days and it applied to the entire town of Asbury Park as well as the neighboring township of Neptune.

The New York Times quoted the Mayors reaction to the violence as “We’ve been very, very fortunate it’s stayed where it has. Our business area hasn't been affected at all”. An unfortunate, but telling statement, because the reality was – the entire west side business district (the ENTIRE black business district) was indeed being “affected”. It was in fact, being burned down, looted and destroyed!

On Tuesday morning, West Side community leaders presented a list of twenty demands to the City Council. Two additional demands would be added during the following days. Many of those demands addressed the real root of what caused the problems in the first place, and they included things like: “Immediate employment of 100 youths from the west side, creation of a Recreation Commission, appointment of a black person to the Board of Education, A Narcotics Program, black representation on the Federal Housing Authority, a police review board and dismissal of a municipal judge.

The New York Times reported that after talks broke down late Tuesday night, more fighting erupted, and this time the mobs pushed across the railroad tracks and went three blocks into the “east” side. State police quickly forced the fighting crowds back but that night, 46 people were treated for gunshot wounds, the oldest being 75, and the youngest being 14.

By Wednesday morning, the west side was essentially burned down, destroyed and looted. Unable to depend on City Fathers for help – the community pulled together and relied on each other. They created “Citizen Peace Patrols”. These groups started walking the streets, encouraging people to observe the imposed curfews. Churches and community groups took in and housed the homeless. Some for extended periods of time. The State Police, who had been called in the day before – continued to remain on the west side (in their riot gear and helmets) throughout the evening.

On Thursday, New Jersey Gov. Willam T. Cahill toured the West Side and requested that President Richard Nixon declare Asbury Park a major disaster area. All day Wednesday and Thursday negotiations between west side community leaders and the city council continued – but the demands continued to go unanswered.

That night, Howard K. Smith came on the ABC evening news and announced to the world that “the seaside town of Asbury Park had become a battleground of rioting”. While the two minute and twenty-three second story focused mostly on the impact the fighting had had on the beach front economy, it nonetheless put Asbury Park in the national spotlight. Asbury Park had just joined the dubious list of “national riots for 1970” and things would never be the same.

Slow progress on the city’s part prompted west side leading spokesman Willie Hamm to announce on Friday that further communication would be halted until the city council addressed the community’s demands. Talks resumed later that day and by Friday evening West Side leaders and the city council came to terms, and all the demands were at least minimally addressed.

Using The Asbury Park Parking Meters.

Those Damn Parking Meters!

I'm not sure how much the City of Asbury Park (or even if was the city) paid for those pretty black and blue parking meters that you'll find just about anywhere up and down Ocean Ave, Kingsley and all the cross streets - but I'm not so sure they got their money's worth!

What I DO know is that there seems to be tremendous number of cops - not necessarily patroling the boardwalk - or watching busy the crosswalks, but instead, hudled around the "blue devils" assisting extremely confused and aggitated beach goers and out of town guests as they try to operate these ultimately complicated pieces of technology.

What should ultimately be a very easy process, all to frequently AIN'T! Actually, after a couple hourse of playing with these oversized gadgets - I've come to the opininon that they really aren't as hard to operate as much as it is 1) there are no clear directions telling you what to do and when, and 2) the damn things generally don't work i.e. they have trouble taking your dollar bills and heaven forbid you should try to use a credit or debit card. Again - what SHOULD be an easy process - just AIN'T!

Back in the good ol' days when I had the North Beach listing, and I sat office hours each and every weekend, every once in a while, this benovelent streak would overcome me. With nothing else to do, I'd ocassionally get up, go outside and help a distressed vacationer and somewhere deep inside - I felt good about myself. As I no longer have the pleasure of sitting those office hours - I sometimes feel lost. So......I decided to make a YouTube video.

The day AFTER it went up, I got a call from the City, with wonderful plans of putting it on the website. But, a month later - nothing. So....for those lucky enough to find this obscure blog and or vid - I hope you find it helpful! I passed it on the the SANDBLAST organizers, but......THAT's a totally different post. ANYWAY - have fun. Smile. Accepte the fact we're all not perfect and send it on!

Be well and have a GREAT day! You're friend in Asbury Park, NJ

www.AsburyParkMark.com Asbury Park, NJ Mark McDonald

The Best Beach In New Jersey.......Almost!

Asbury Park - #4 in the Top 10 Beachs in New Jersey!

In 2008, we were #6. In 2009 we were #5, and now in 2010 we're up to #4. Now the question is.....is that because of the amazing work of our "Director of Commerce and Good Times" Mr. Tom Gilmour and his 'get out the vote' campaign, or is it because it's real. We really DO have the best damn beaches around - everyone is just now learning about it.

Although Mr. Gilmour does an AMAZING job, and is worth his weight in gold - I tend to think it's the later. Let's look at this for a minute:

1: They're clean:At sunrise each and every morning, the beach sweepers are out performing their daily ritual. Sweeping and cleaning the beach to a pristine shine. And they don't miss a THING! It's a religious experience to watch the sun come up over the waves, smooth sand and TOTALLY clean beaches!

2. They're HUGE: I have no idea how big they are - but they're BIG! REAL BIG! Literally hundreds of yards long and a hundred yards deep (from boardwalk to ocean). Large enough to hold thousands 0f people every weekend, and you never feel like you're sitting on top of your neighbors umbrella.

3. The Ocean: It's RIGHT THERE, it's huge, has this amazingly beautiful surf, it's warm, it's relaxing and it's one of God's most beautiful creations!

4. VARIETY: From the people (gay, straight, black, white, young, old, locals, outtatowners), to restaurants, to activities, to music - there's just variety. You can spend you time on your back with your ipod head phone in your ears or you can spend the day walking up and down the boardwalk, eating, playing miniture golf, playing in the water park, blowing glass blubbles at the Hot Sand Glass Studio, playing one of 200 old fashioned pin ball machines at the Silver Ball Museum - hell, do just about ANYTING you want!

5). Food: We have it all! Burgers, hot dog, beach fries, cuban sandwiches, Ralphs italian ice, ice cream, an amazing italian deli, McLoone's Asbury Grill, my personal favorite Stella Marina and their AMAZING outside dining, the list goes on and on!

6). Shopping: I can't even go there!

Bottom line......just go check it out! YOU'RE GONNA LOVE IT!

Asbury Park Mark: It's LIZA You Fool, LIZA!!!

Asbury Park Mark: It's LIZA You Fool, LIZA!!!

It's LIZA You Fool, LIZA!!!

LIZA MINNELLI IN CONCERT

at the PARAMOUNT THEATER

in ASBURY PARK, NJ

Friday, June 18th

It's going to happen! It's really going to happen! Liza Minnelli is coming to Asbury Park, NJ!

It's not a drag queen, or even one of those really good female impersonators. This is the real deal! One of the most gifted performers to EVER grace the Broadway stage or silver screen - is coming to Asbury Park, NJ!

So get your tickets NOW to see her at the Paramount Theater, in Asbury Park, NJ, Friday, June 18th.

This is a benefit for the Boys and Girls Club of Asbury Park. Truly one of the unsung heros of our community. They can use our help people - SO BUY A TICKET, and SEE THE WONDER!

The last block of tickets are being sold on a first come, first sold basis between $49 and $119.

Get them by calling:

SAMMY BOYD 732-890-6547 or

TICKET MASTER 877-598-8497

Looking forward to seeing you ALL there!

www.AsburyParkMark.com Mark McDonald Asbury Park, NJ

AsburyParkMark at The Emory St. Deli

I was wondering around town the other day, hungry and with only a few dollars in my pocket. I couldn't afford a "White Truffle infused cream cheese with Strawberries" Belgium Waffle - so I decided to check out a new place (or new to me anyway)....The Emory Deli. Damn, dude! What a place. Located on Emory, of course, it's yet another one of those Asbury Park hidden treasures that we don't really know about but should. Owned and operated by Ali and his father, it's a story of hard work and perservance.

It's not that much from the outside, but on the inside, it's a friendly "bodega" type place, where the employee's know your name. They say "Hi" and actually hold a conversation with you. But the best part is the food. It's good - and it's VERY reasonable.

Take a trip off the beaten path, drop by and drop in. You'll be glad you did!

The Asbury Park Dog Beach

The Asbury Park Dog Beach



I was talking with my dog lover friends the other day, and realized there is yet another hidden treasure in this great community that I’d almost forgotten about. The Dog Beach. It’s a municipally sanctioned portion of the Asbury Park beach in which dogs are allowed to run – off leash, play, swim and generally have a kick-ass time with each other.

It’s located on the ‘surfers beach’, otherwise known as the 8th Ave. beach. Officially, dogs are allowed to run off-leash from 6:00 pm to 8:30 am each and every day.

It apparently is the busiest at 6:00 in the evening and again at 8:00 in the morning. I don’t have a dog (yet) but after spending a bit of time just watching, I couldn’t help but walk away with a soft spot in my heart, and an even deeper desire to own and care for one of those amazing creatures.
The dog beach is a wonderful place to totally get away, relax and really experience the freedom and serenity that we all desire to have in our life. It’s so clear and present in our ‘best friends’ and you can easily see why they – and their owners love it so much.

So if you live here in Asbury Park, or if your just down for the day shopping for a condo or vacation home….be sure to drop by the 8th Ave dog beach. You’re gonna love it!