3 years ago
Thirty years ago on March 9th, much of downtown Washington came to a standstill. Armed men had stormed B'nai Brith Headquarters at Scott Circle, The Islamic Center on Massachusetts Avenue and later the District Building. More than 100 people were held hostage by 12 Hanafi Muslims. Killed in the takeover, a young radio reporter and a security guard. Wounded, with a bullet in his chest, then council member Marion Barry. The siege was an attempt to avenge the 1973 deaths of 7 members of Hanafi leader Hamas Abdul Khalis's family. This occurred at Khalis's home, the Hanafi Muslim Center, on 16th Street, Northwest. Much of the 38 hour long drama played out on television. Khalis was in contact with Channel 9 from B'nai Brith and gave his demands over the phone to anchorman Max Robinson. Former WTOP Radio & TV reporter Alan Grip was a city spokesman at the time of the siege. WTOP Radio's Steve Thompson talked with Grip as he was held hostage at the District Building. Some of the reporters and anchors who contributed to our coverage in 1977 have gone on to long careers in local and network television. They include, JC Hayward, Bruce Johnson, Mike Buchanan, Gordon Peterson, Pat Collins, Susan King, Andrea Mitchell, Bob Strickland, and Steve Gendel.
Here are some of our reports from March 9th thru 11th, 1977:
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