Unfortunately, the event is real: the riots in Detroit which started on July 23, 1967 as a result of a case of racially motivated police brutality. The song was actually banned on the radio in the area - I guess it hit too close to home.
I tried to find something on the Internet about it, but all I found was a retrospective in the Detroit News, published on the occasion of the 30 year anniversary. The information on the event is sketchy, but it's there. Maybe someone else can find a more complete account?
Detroit News. Articles:
www.detnews.com/1997/detroit/9707/30/index.htm
------------------
Valerie Magee
Visit my GL web site at
gordonlightfoot.com