Hard Hat demonstration files, 1968-1970, 1981-1985
Scope and Contents
This series contains documents created or complied by the New York Police Department (NYPD) during their investigations related to the May 8, 1970 riots that ensued in lower Manhattan during an anti-Vietnam War demonstration and memorial for the four students shot and killed at Kent State in Ohio. Often referred to as the "Hard Hat Riots," hundreds of construction workers attacked the demonstrators (most were high school and college students) for being anti-American. Over the course of a few hours, the rioters grew into the thousands as more construction and office workers joined in. They also attacked buildings and stormed nearby Pace University. Over one hundred people were injured as the rioters attacked anyone thought to be an anti-Vietnam War demonstrator. Police presence was minimal during the riots. Only six people were arrested that day. This series consists of documents created in the months following the riots including reports, interviews, NYPD roll calls and rosters, forms, and newspaper clippings, among other material.
Extent
11 cubic feet (22 half cubic foot boxes)
Dates
1968-1970, 1981-1985
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research. Some records in this collection may be restricted due to content or format. The reproduction of records is not permitted without permission of the Municipal Archives due to the inclusion of personally identifiable information (PII) and other restricted information throughout this collection.
In Subgroup 2, there are significant privacy concerns, in particular for the people being surveilled. Many of the subject file cards include or correspond to a picture, full name, date of birth, arrest history, political/organizational affiliation, address, citizenship status, DMV records, or other personally identifiable information (PII) of an individual (many of the photographs include this information as well). Similarly, there are details about informants in various places. There are also privacy concerns for the officers whose actions are documented as well, because the records can include full names associated with shield numbers, medical information, and fingerprints. Some records have not met legal retention periods and are restricted. Some media formats need specialized playback equipment to access (VHS and floppy disks in particular).
The Municipal Archives can provide redacted (PII) records for reproduction requests. Please contact us for more information or to make a research appointment.
In Subgroup 2, there are significant privacy concerns, in particular for the people being surveilled. Many of the subject file cards include or correspond to a picture, full name, date of birth, arrest history, political/organizational affiliation, address, citizenship status, DMV records, or other personally identifiable information (PII) of an individual (many of the photographs include this information as well). Similarly, there are details about informants in various places. There are also privacy concerns for the officers whose actions are documented as well, because the records can include full names associated with shield numbers, medical information, and fingerprints. Some records have not met legal retention periods and are restricted. Some media formats need specialized playback equipment to access (VHS and floppy disks in particular).
The Municipal Archives can provide redacted (PII) records for reproduction requests. Please contact us for more information or to make a research appointment.
Additional Description
Arrangement
This series is arranged numerically by communication file number in a loose chronological order.
Separated Materials
The audiovisual material in this series are separated and are included in the end of the series.