Huge Rally In New York City Backs Nixon’s Indochina policies 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 20 1970)


Video: 'Our World Spring 1970 Part 1' (May 20, 1970, at 6:42)

(Wednesday, May 20, 1970, approximately noon EDT; during the Cambodian Campaign, part of the Vietnam War, Cambodian Civil War, Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Marching under a sea of American flags, helmeted construction workers led tens of thousands of noisy but peaceful demonstrators today in a rally and parade in New York City supporting the Vietnam policies of President Richard Nixon and assailing Mayor John Lindsay and other opponents of the war in Indochina.


Video: 'Nixon 'Tricky Dicky' Part 2 of 3' (May 20, 1970, at 33:23-33:32)

Staged by the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York to demonstrate “love of country and love and respect for our country’s flag,” the noontime rally on Broadway opposite City Hall drew a crowd estimated at 150,000.

It was by far the largest pro-administration rally since the construction workers began their almost daily demonstrations in the financial district May 8, 1970, to counter the antiwar rallies of students.