September 4 - The Peekskill Riots

Labor History in 2:00 · Sep 4, 2026 · 1m

On this day in Labor History the year was 1949.

That was the day known in New York as the Peekskill Riots.

Internationally renowned African American Paul Robeson was scheduled to give an open-air concert.

He was known for his deep, moving voice singing iconic songs like Shenandoah and the Ballad of Joe Hill.

Robeson was active in the causes of civil and labor rights.

In the Cold War hysteria after World War II, Robeson had been labeled a dangerous Communist.

The New York concert was originally planned to benefit the Civil Rights Congress.

The group had been defending the “Trenton 6” a group…