Vivian Strong

Vivian Strong (1955 – June 24, 1969) was a young African American girl who was shot and killed, without warning, by a white police officer in Omaha, Nebraska in 1969. The killing sparked three days of riots in Omaha's Northeast neighborhood.

On June 24, 1969, teenagers gathered at a vacant apartment in the Logan Fontenelle Housing Projects. The teenagers were playing music and dancing. When police arrived, saying they'd been called on suspicion of a robbery, the teens fled out the back door. A white police officer shot into the crowd and Vivian Strong, a 14-year old African-American girl, was struck in the back of the head and was killed. Unrest followed for three days in Omaha's Northeast neighborhood, resulting in 21 arrests, 88 injuries, and $750,000 in property damage.

Vivian Strong's sister, Carol, was with her when she was killed; she did not receive any counseling afterward, her mother had a nervous breakdown, and she subsequently took over the care of her younger brothers and sisters.

The summer of Strong's death, the Black Panther Party (BPP) started the Vivian Strong Memorial Liberation School. Liberation Schools were located in several US cities and were established by the BPP. The school in Omaha may have operated for only a week before it closed down.

James Loder, the police officer who killed Vivian Strong, was released from jail on $500 bond. He was found innocent at trial and returned to the police force, where he served for two more years. He was the biological son of Hollywood actress, Hedy Lamarr although the actress claimed he was an adopted son to cover up his illegitimacy.