On May 8 , 1970 , near the intersection of Wall Street and Broad Street and at New York City Hall , a riot started when about 200 construction workers mobilized by the New York State AFL-CIO labor federation attacked about 1,000 high school and college students and others protesting the Kent State shootings , the Cambodian Campaign , and the Vietnam War . Some attorneys , bankers , and investment analysts from nearby Wall Street investment firms tried to protect many of the students but were themselves attacked , and some onlookers reported that the police stood by and did nothing . Although more than seventy people were injured , including four policemen , only six people were arrested . The following day , Lindsay severely criticized the police for their lack of action . Police Department labor leaders later accused Lindsay of " undermining the confidence of the public in its Police Department " by his statements and blamed the inaction on inadequate preparations and " inconsistent directives " in the past from the Mayor 's office . Several thousand construction workers , longshoremen and white-collar workers protested against the mayor on May 11 and again on May 16 . Protesters called Lindsay " the red mayor " , " traitor " , " Commie rat " , and " bum " . The Mayor described the mood of the city as " taut "
Kent State shootings
Kent State shootings
John Lindsay