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Contract Buyers League members leave furnishings at the Chicago Civic Center on March 30, 1970. The items were earlier removed from homes during evictions with the support of police.
Contract Buyers League members leave furnishings at the Chicago Civic Center on March 30, 1970. The items were earlier removed from homes during evictions with the support of police.
Guarded by sheriff's and Chicago police, movers remove belongings from a contract home at 9520 Emerald Ave. during an eviction March 30, 1970.
Guarded by sheriff’s and Chicago police, movers remove belongings from a contract home at 9520 Emerald Ave. during an eviction March 30, 1970.
Contract Buyers League members confront Chicago police after sheriff's police and movers evicted 12 families from their homes in the 9200 block of Eggleston Avenue on March 31, 1970.
Contract Buyers League members confront Chicago police after sheriff’s police and movers evicted 12 families from their homes in the 9200 block of Eggleston Avenue on March 31, 1970.
The Contract Buyers League was an organization of black homeowners in Chicago who banded together in the 1960s to protest housing discrimination. Unable to get mortgages, they were forced to buy homes on contract at exorbitant prices, and the contracts let speculators evict them if they missed a single payment. The league organized payment strikes, got many contracts renegotiated and collected information that led to the passage of federal anti-discrmination laws. Here, Chicago police carry a man away after a clash as sheriff's police evict four families from their homes in the 8000 block of State Street on April 6, 1970.
The Contract Buyers League was an organization of black homeowners in Chicago who banded together in the 1960s to protest housing discrimination. Unable to get mortgages, they were forced to buy homes on contract at exorbitant prices, and the contracts let speculators evict them if they missed a single payment. The league organized payment strikes, got many contracts renegotiated and collected information that led to the passage of federal anti-discrmination laws. Here, Chicago police carry a man away after a clash as sheriff’s police evict four families from their homes in the 8000 block of State Street on April 6, 1970.
A crowd confronts police near the evictions of four Eggleston Avenue contract buyers March 31, 1970.
A crowd confronts police near the evictions of four Eggleston Avenue contract buyers March 31, 1970.
Chicago police stand guard at the end of the 9500 block of Emerald Avenue on March 30, 1970, as they try to prevent crowds from gathering to stop evictions, as had happened in the past.
Chicago police stand guard at the end of the 9500 block of Emerald Avenue on March 30, 1970, as they try to prevent crowds from gathering to stop evictions, as had happened in the past.
People celebrate a failed eviction attempt as they block the entrance at 1235 South Keeler Ave. at the Curtis Green residence on March 23, 1970. Because of a large group of protesters, sheriff's police had stopped the planned eviction.
People celebrate a failed eviction attempt as they block the entrance at 1235 South Keeler Ave. at the Curtis Green residence on March 23, 1970. Because of a large group of protesters, sheriff’s police had stopped the planned eviction.
A caravan is ready to depart for the Chicago Civic Center to drop off furnishings from the homes of the four contract buyers who were evicted March 30, 1970.
A caravan is ready to depart for the Chicago Civic Center to drop off furnishings from the homes of the four contract buyers who were evicted March 30, 1970.
A sheriff's police bus drives away after officers evicted a contract buyer from 8547 King Drive on May 4, 1970.
A sheriff’s police bus drives away after officers evicted a contract buyer from 8547 King Drive on May 4, 1970.
Contract Buyers League members move furnishings from evicted homes to dump at the Chicago Civic Center on March 30, 1970.
Contract Buyers League members move furnishings from evicted homes to dump at the Chicago Civic Center on March 30, 1970.
Women hold a demonstration in front of the Cook County Jail on Sept. 13, 1970, to show their support for four female members of the Contract Buyers League who were jailed for contempt of court.
Women hold a demonstration in front of the Cook County Jail on Sept. 13, 1970, to show their support for four female members of the Contract Buyers League who were jailed for contempt of court.
Contract Buyers League members wait outside the Cook County Court for a hearing with Judge John Boyle, chief of the Circuit Court, on Oct. 6, 1969.
Contract Buyers League members wait outside the Cook County Court for a hearing with Judge John Boyle, chief of the Circuit Court, on Oct. 6, 1969.
Contract Buyers League members demonstrate in front of the federal building on May 19, 1970.
Contract Buyers League members demonstrate in front of the federal building on May 19, 1970.
Clyde Ross stands near renovated homes in the 3300 block of West Flournoy Street during a block club party Aug. 26, 1972. Ross was vice president of the Contract Buyers League and received a yearlong fellowship from the Adlai Stevenson Institute.
Clyde Ross stands near renovated homes in the 3300 block of West Flournoy Street during a block club party Aug. 26, 1972. Ross was vice president of the Contract Buyers League and received a yearlong fellowship from the Adlai Stevenson Institute.
Clyde Ross, 92, still lives in the home he purchased under contract in the 3300 block of West Flournoy Street.
Clyde Ross, 92, still lives in the home he purchased under contract in the 3300 block of West Flournoy Street.