OAKLAND COUNTY

A history of busing in Metro Detroit

The Detroit News
Protesters stand in front of a school bus in Pontiac on September 1, 1971. One young man holds sign which reads, "Join us, ban the bus."
Protesters stand in front of a school bus in Pontiac on September 1, 1971. One young man holds sign which reads, "Join us, ban the bus."
Detroit News Archive
A woman shouts during an anti-busing demonstration in Pontiac, Michigan on September 1, 1971.
A woman shouts during an anti-busing demonstration in Pontiac, Michigan on September 1, 1971.
Detroit News Archive
Before Pontiac’s desegregation began in August 1971, the Ku Klux Klan blew up 10 buses belonging to the Pontiac school system.
Before Pontiac’s desegregation began in August 1971, the Ku Klux Klan blew up 10 buses belonging to the Pontiac school system.
The Detroit News Archives
Police officers tussle with two women during an anti-busing demonstration in Pontiac, Michigan on September 1, 1971.
Police officers tussle with two women during an anti-busing demonstration in Pontiac, Michigan on September 1, 1971.
Detroit News Archive
A black man and a white man argue during an anti-busing demonstration in Pontiac, Michigan on September 1, 1971.
A black man and a white man argue during an anti-busing demonstration in Pontiac, Michigan on September 1, 1971.
Detroit News Archive
In this April 5, 1976 file photo, civil rights attorney Theodore Landsmark holds his nose after being injured by white anti-busing demonstrators outside Boston's City Hall.
In this April 5, 1976 file photo, civil rights attorney Theodore Landsmark holds his nose after being injured by white anti-busing demonstrators outside Boston's City Hall.
Chet Magnuson / AP
Irene McCabe and Dearborn Mayor Orville Hubbard march hand-in-hand in an anti-busing protest in March 1972.
Irene McCabe and Dearborn Mayor Orville Hubbard march hand-in-hand in an anti-busing protest in March 1972.
Detroit News Archive
A group of young people carry picket signs in front of the Federal Building in Detroit, Michigan to protest busing on May 6, 1975.
A group of young people carry picket signs in front of the Federal Building in Detroit, Michigan to protest busing on May 6, 1975.
Detroit News Archive
Busing to various schools on January 27, 1976.
Busing to various schools on January 27, 1976.
Detroit News Archive
Busing is no problem to these happy classmates at Flemming School. Carol Johnson, Sharnina Williams, Lewis Hill, and Laura Boccia. January 26, 1976.
Busing is no problem to these happy classmates at Flemming School. Carol Johnson, Sharnina Williams, Lewis Hill, and Laura Boccia. January 26, 1976.
Detroit News Archive
Busing of public school students in Detroit
Busing of public school students in Detroit
Detroit News Archive
Pontiac housewife Irene McCabe, seen on Jan. 2, 1971, rode the tide of busing resistance to national attention by proclaiming, “There are millions of little people in this country who want to preserve the neighborhood school and all it means to the American way of life.”
Pontiac housewife Irene McCabe, seen on Jan. 2, 1971, rode the tide of busing resistance to national attention by proclaiming, “There are millions of little people in this country who want to preserve the neighborhood school and all it means to the American way of life.”
The Detroit News Archives