The developer, Levitt & Sons, built six suburban “Levittowns” in the U.S. for sale exclusively to white veterans returning from WWII. Racial covenants banned the sale of new homes to non-whites but had no control over resale.

On August 11, 1957, William Myers Jr., a WWII veteran and electrical engineer, and his wife, Daisy, a schoolteacher, buy a house secondhand in Levittown, Pennsylvania. White neighbors throw stones and break windows even before the Myers and their three children move in. Hundreds picket outside for eight straight nights, and continue a coordinated harassment campaign for months. Other locals help pay for repairs and organize a 24/7 citizen patrol to protect the Myers. A court injunction issued in October halts the harassment.

The Myers stay in their home for four years.