It’s been called the most influential protest you’ve never heard about. In April and May 1971, week-long protests rippled across Washington, DC. Thousands in the streets. Their slogan: “If the government won’t stop the war, we’ll stop the government.” The Nixon administration cracked down, arresting 7,000 people in just one day, and 12,000 people over the first week of May—the largest mass arrest in the history of the United States.

This is episode 27 of Stories of Resistance — a podcast co-produced by The Real News and Global Exchange. Independent investigative journalism, supported by Global Exchange's Human Rights in Action program. Each week, we’ll bring you stories of resistance like this. Inspiration for dark times.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, share, comment, or leave a review. You can also follow Michael’s reporting and support at patreon.com/mfox.

Written and produced by Michael Fox.

You can check out this excellent short documentary film about the protests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQzgchtpUFc
Democracy Now!’s Amy Goodman covered the 50th anniversary of the protests and arrests in 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLvpo3_X_HQ

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May Day 1971: ‘If the government won’t stop the war, we’ll stop the government.’ | Ep 27 Stories of Resistance