May 8, 1970 –
In front of Federal Hall and under the statue of George Washington, on this date, construction workers stormed a student protest against the Vietnam War and the killing of the students at Kent State. The construction workers chased both students and bystanders through the streets, beating and kicking them; police reportedly looked on and did nothing.
Known as the Hard Hat Riots, it sparked two weeks of protests, counter protests and marches. Around 100 people, including seven policemen, were injured on what became known as “Bloody Friday“. Six people were arrested, but only one of them was a construction worker associated with the rioters. President Nixon then invited the hardhat leaders to Washington, D.C., and accepted a hardhat from them.
The Haus of Dcaligari 