Mayday 1971 Washington Protest: Nixon's Battle, Mass Arrests, and Untold History

A vivid account of the biggest act of civil disobedience in US historical past, in Richard Nixon’s Washington

In the spring of 1971, Washington was flooded by waves of protesters. This diverse group included fiery radicals, flower children, and militant veterans, all united in their mission to end America's involvement in the Vietnam War. Their audacious plan? A blockade of the nation's capital, including the White House. Standing in their way was an increasingly paranoid Richard Nixon, determined to thwart their efforts.

Journalist Lawrence Roberts delves into the forgotten events of Mayday 1971 in Washington through the eyes of conflicting characters. With extensive interviews, unearthed archives, and new White House transcripts, Roberts paints a vivid picture of the era. Familiar figures like John Kerry, Jane Fonda, and Pentagon Papers leaker Daniel Ellsberg are woven into the narrative. The turmoil started with a bombing inside the U.S. Capitol—a mystery Roberts sheds new light on. To quell the Mayday Tribe's disruptive tactics, the government deployed the military, resulting in over 12,000 arrests by riot squads. Amidst this chaos, a determined young public defender fought to free the detainees, while Nixon's administration faced the beginnings of the Watergate scandal. "Mayday 1971" is a gripping account of a critical moment in American history, showcasing the resilience of democracy amidst grave challenges.

From the Writer