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NYC Council meetings, chaptered and linked by time.

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Remarks

Chair Williams on the violence against Black New Yorkers during the Draft Riots

New York City Council · Jul 16, 2026 · starts 0:01:51 · 28 sec

Chair Williams describes how rioters terrorized the city's African-American population for four days, beating and murdering civilians and destroying property, with an official death toll of 119 and possibly more.

Nantasha M. Williams

While the rioters destroyed draft offices, commercial establishments, and private homes, the rioters primarily targeted the city's African-American community.

Nantasha M. Williams

For four days, the mob terrorized the city's African-American population, beating and murdering innocent civilians and destroying their property.

Nantasha M. Williams

The official death toll was 119.

Nantasha M. Williams

By many historians'estimate, there might have been even more people killed.