Peekskill Riots

The Peekskill Riots were anti-communist riots in the city of Peekskill, New York in 1949.

Related Topics:
Communist - Peekskill, New York - 1949

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The catalyst for the rioting was an announced concert by black singer Paul Robeson, who was well known for his strong stand on civil rights and his communist sympathies. The concert, organized as a benefit for the Civil Rights Congress, was scheduled to take place on August 27. Before Robeson arrived, a mob of locals attacked concertgoers with baseball bats and rocks. Thirteen people were seriously injured before the police interfered. The concert was postponed until September 4.

Related Topics:
Paul Robeson - Civil rights - Civil Rights Congress - August 27

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The rescheduled concert itself was free from violence. 20,000 people arrived at the site, which was actually in Lakeland Acres, just north of Peekskill. Security, organized by labor unions, was tight, and Robeson, along with musicians such as Pete Seeger, performed without incident. The aftermath of the concert, however, was far from peaceful. As they drove away, concertgoers were forced to run a gauntlet miles long of hostile locals, veterans, and outside agitators, who threw rocks through windshields of the cars and buses (Seeger used rocks thrown in his car in the chimney of his cabin). Some people were reportedly dragged from their vehicles and beaten. Over 140 people were injured and numerous vehicles were severely damaged as police stood by.

Related Topics:
Labor unions - Pete Seeger - Veterans

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Following the riots, more than 300 people went to Albany to voice their indignation to Governor Thomas Dewey, who refused to meet with them, blaming communists for provoking the violence. Twenty-seven plantiffs filed a civil suit against Westchester County and two veterans groups. The charges were dismissed three years later.

Related Topics:
Albany - Thomas Dewey - Westchester County

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