Seventy-six years have passed since Peekskill became the stage of two riots that marked the city’s history and the life of musician and activist Paul Robeson. To commemorate the date, the Robeson Project is organizing a panel discussion titled “The Peekskill Riots: Then and Now,” to be held on September 4. The gathering, hosted at Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union 21 at 1024 McKinley Street, will revisit those events marked by racism, hostility, and assault.

It happened in 1949. The first attack took place on August 27 and forced the cancellation of Robeson’s concert due to threats, fires, and assaults on attendees. The second, on September 4, allowed Robeson to perform before an audience of about 20,000 people, but as the crowd left the venue, more than 140 individuals were injured by attacks from the surrounding area. These episodes reflected the racial, political, and anti-communist tensions of the time and are remembered as an early turning point in the history of civil rights in the United States.

It is precisely these events that will be addressed during the discussion, which will begin at 7 p.m. as part of the 2nd Annual Robeson in Peekskill Commemoration. Admission is free but requires registration before September 2. The panel will be moderated by John Nichols, Executive Editor of The Nation. He will be joined by Kendall Hall, founder of the Ubuntu Cultural Pavilion; Shana L. Redmond, Ph.D., author of works on social movements and the music of the African diaspora; and Michael Meeropol, economist and educator. Each participant will contribute historical context and academic perspectives linked to Robeson’s legacy.

The event will take the form of a moderated conversation. The program is expected to begin with a review of the historical background, followed by presentations from the panelists. A space for questions from the audience will also be included. According to the organizers, the goal is to discuss the impact of the riots on the local community and on public memory.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the panel and related activities are scheduled to last for one and a half hours. For more information about the event, inquiries may be directed to [email protected].