The recent outbreak of venom recently demonstrated at McCain/Palin rallies reminds me of the atmosphere the right wingers stirred up resulting in the Peekskill riots.
Paul Robeson was a well known artist and champion of the oppressed. He led demonstrations against lynching and in favor of civil rights. His concert set for the Peeskill area in August 1949 had to be cancelled because of the threats of right-wing violence. Not to be cowered he reset the concert for Labor Day of the same year and drew a crowd of 20,000. Local labor organizations were called on to provided some security but over 140 people were injured as the far right protesters turned their hatred into outright violence.
Here is a link:
http://www.youtube.com/...