Hard Hat Riot

Date: May 8, 1970 • Location: Washington, United States

Construction workers attacked students and others who were protesting the Vietnam War in New York City.

The Hard Hat Riot occurred in New York City on May 8, 1970, when around 400 construction workers and around 800 office workers attacked around 1,000 demonstrators affiliated with the student strike of 1970. The students were protesting the May 4 Kent State shootings and the Vietnam War, following the April 30 announcement by President Richard Nixon of the US invasion of neutral Cambodia. Some construction workers carried US flags and chanted "USA all the way" and "America, love it or leave it". Anti-war protesters shouted "Peace now".