Actions That Harmed the Black Community:

July 2–3, 1917 – Incitement and Leadership of White Mob Violence
Brockway organized and led white mobs targeting Black workers and residents in East St. Louis.
The mobs attacked homes, businesses, and individuals, often using firearms and arson.
His rhetoric encouraged white workers to violently “defend” jobs and neighborhoods against Black laborers.

July 2–3, 1917 – Targeting Black Laborers
Brockway actively sought to intimidate Black workers who were replacing striking white laborers in local industries.
He led violent efforts to drive Black families from their homes, destroying their property and threatening their lives.

July 2–4, 1917 – Facilitation of Widespread Destruction
Under Brockway’s leadership, the riots resulted in the deaths of an estimated 100 to 250 Black residents and the destruction of hundreds of homes and businesses.
The violence uprooted entire Black neighborhoods, leaving families homeless and economically devastated. An estimated 6,000 Black residents were forcibly displaced from their homes, many of which were completely destroyed.

July 2–4, 1917 – Obstruction of Justice and Law Enforcement Complicity
Brockway and his allies operated with relative impunity, while local law enforcement largely failed to protect Black residents or hold white rioters accountable.
His position as a community and labor leader gave legitimacy to the mob violence, amplifying its destructive impact.

1917–1920s – Long-Term Impact on Black Communities
The riots led to mass displacement and long-lasting economic setbacks for Black residents of East St. Louis.
Brockway’s actions reinforced racial terror as a tool to suppress Black social, economic, and political advancement.

Legacy:
Richard Brockway is remembered as a central figure in the East St. Louis Riots, where his leadership and incitement contributed to widespread death, destruction, and terror against Black communities. His actions exemplify how white labor leaders and mobs used violence to enforce racial hierarchy and maintain economic dominance. The riots under Brockway’s leadership highlight systemic failures of law enforcement and societal structures to protect Black citizens.

Summary:
Richard Brockway, as a key ringleader of the 1917 East St. Louis Riots, led violent attacks against Black residents and workers. His incitement and mob leadership caused deaths, property destruction, displacement, and lasting economic harm, reinforcing systemic racism and white supremacy in urban America.