 Formed in December 1873, The Committee of Safety in New York City tried to organize a meeting with city officials but was denied any such opportunity.In response, the committee organized a demonstration for January 13, 1874 to meet in Tompkins Square Park, which had often been used as a gathering point for demonstrations, and planned to march to City Hall.Demonstrators would demand that Mayor William F. Havemeyer establish a public works program to generate employment opportunities by donating $100,000 to a Labor Relief Bureau to be established by the committee.