The racist and Anti Semitic riots in Peekskill , in westchester county NY The catalyst for the rioting was an announced concert by black singer Paul Robeson, who was well known for his strong pro-trade union stance, civil rights activism Robeson had given three earlier concerts in Peekskill without incident, but in the years leading up to 1949 Robeson had been increasingly vocal against the Ku Klux Klan and other forces of white supremacy, both domestically and internationally. As a child I remember going to Peekskill may times as there was a progressive summer camp for children of union members. The majority of that time NYC was majority a union town This labor history they don't teach in schools, or any other labor history for that matter https://vimeo.com/46224576
Robson was also pro-Israel (not sure if he would be today). I have a recording of him singing Kaddish.
History shows that he had a number of misgivings about Soviet communism after Khrushchev's disclosure about Stalin and his abuses. This was true of many leftists of that era.
