Content description:
This is the second photo in a series of four. The four photos are taped together with masking tape. On the back of the first photo (H98.1.988) is a handwritten description in black pen. This reads: "Pics - #1 & #2 show the kids carrying [the] asphalt from "Peoples Park" out to the street and #3 & #4 shows more kids picking asphalt out of street and throwing it back on the sidewalk." Each photo is identified with a number (1,2,3,4) written in black ink on the back of each photo. This second photo shows a group of young adults gathered in People's Park. The chain-link fence around the park has been knocked down and is lying in the street. A metal pole with lights attached to it has also been knocked down. The majority of the people gathered are "hanging out" - standing, sitting, or lying in the park. One man is reading a book. At least two people are standing with their bicycles. Four demonstrators, three males and one female, are working together to carry a large piece of asphalt into the street. The woman is smiling. Two men with cameras (reporters?) are standing together in the park near the other demonstrators. One is taking a photo of the foursome. The street looks as if it has been under construction (?) and a steamroller (? - only partially visible) is parked on one side of the street. Behind the park is a two story apartment building. Several people, including a cameraman(?), are standing on the building's balconies and are observing the activity in the park. Anti-war protesters staged a series of violent demonstrations in reaction to a speech given by President Richard Nixon on the evening of May 8, 1972. In the speech, President Nixon set forth new military strategy, which initiated the mining of North Vietnamese harbors. During the course of these protests, demonstrators ripped down the 8' chain-link fence surrounding "People's Park", and, using pick-axes, they destroyed the 10' x 100' parking lot.