This month in MPD History was a memorable one for many in 1971, as the city was besieged by tens of thousands of well organized and determined anti-war protestors; nearly all of them college students. It was known as “May Day” and was the largest, most active protest seen yet through the turbulent 60s. The events of these extraordinary four days were chronicled in an IACP produced film called “The whole world is watching.”
Demonstrators took to the streets early in the morning to block key intersections and commuter routes with the intent to “shut down the Government.” Vehicles were disabled and left blocking streets, as large groups blocked intersections and others marched on the Justice Department.
The events culminated with mass arrests and the detention of over ten thousand demonstrators. Some were held in the cell block at HQ, some in Cell block “B”, some in the U-line arena (coliseum), and others in a make shift fenced in facility at RFK stadium. MPD made more arrests than ever recorded in a single event in the U.S. and succeeded in keeping the city open. A feat done largely without injury or major damage. Life magazine covered the events, and hundreds of letters and telegrams were sent to the Department, praising MPD for its handling of the demonstrations.
The next comparable event was the 2000 IMF protests that followed on the heels of the “Battle in Seattle.” Here again, MPD was challenged by tens of thousands of determined and organized protestors and again was successful in keeping the city open and the IMF meetings going.
Sorry for the late reply. There is a copy in the Police Museum Archive. But I have no idea where to find a commercial copy. Cecil Kirk gave the Museum Collection their copy.
Any idea where I can get a copy or view the IACP produced film “the whole world is watching”?
Great, Photo of the Campground used during MayDay 1971. I was at both Resurrection City (May – June 1968) and Mayday 1971. The photograph shows the Lincoln Memorial in the background with the Kennedy Center behind and then Watergate behind that. So from that angle, the photo would be of the MayDay campground in West Potomac Park (the exact location would be what is now the FDR Memorial). The campsite photo shows a mishmash of tents, vans, and cars – true to MayDay ’71. The Resurrection City Campground, on the other hand, was on the Mall, where there was no vehicle parking and people stayed in plywood structures instead of cloth tents.
I will double check but I believe the photo was marked by Cecil Kirk May, 1971.
I agree with Don.. it looks like the way I remember Resurrection City!
I remember this historic day as if it were yesterday…As a Sergeant I had 2 squads of men on a bus and each time we approached an intersection the hippy’s would scatter. I then ordered my bus driver to stop before we got to a troubled intersection.(we tried to covertly hide the bus as much as one can hide a bus) I then told my guys to run to the intersection and grab a handful of ass and/or hair. We continued to fill paddy wagons and busses used for prisoners and kept the traffic flowing. Was an exhausting day. My guys performed with out complaining.
Are you sure this comes from May Day, looks like Resurrection City to me.