In 1949, Peekskill, New York, became the unexpected epicenter of a turbulent chapter in American history. The word-famous actor, singer, and civil rights activist Paul Robeson was scheduled to perform a concert in the area. The concert, set for August 27, turned violent as a local mob attacked concert-goers with baseball bats and rocks before Paul Robeson even arrived. Despite the chaos, local police arrived hours later and provided minimal intervention. Thirteen people suffered serious injuries, Robeson was lynched in effigy, and a burning cross was visible on a nearby hillside.

Paul Robeson was not a man to be silenced; six days later, he returned to perform in Peekskill, drawing a crowd of 20,000 attendees. Despite the presence of anti-Robeson protestors outside the venue, the concert proceeded as planned. Although Robeson performed without incident, the aftermath of the concert was far from peaceful. Fueled by racist, anti-Semitic, and anti-Communist sentiments, protesters attacked concertgoers, many of whom were African American and Jewish.

Within a few days, hundreds of editorials and letters appeared in newspapers across the nation and abroad by prominent individuals, organizations, trade unions, churches and others. They condemned the attacks and the failure of the police to protect the concert-goers. Despite condemnation from progressives and civil rights activists, the mainstream press and local officials overwhelmingly blamed Robeson and his fans for "provoking" the violence.

The Peekskill Riots of 1949 played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for the American civil rights movement. As Robeson biographer Charles H. Wright later wrote, “Subsequent events suggest that Peekskill bears the same relationship to the Civil Rights Movement as Fort Sumter does to the Civil War.” However, where the bombardment of Fort Sumter is viewed as a pivotal moment in American history, the memory of the Peekskill Riots has gradually dissolved into the mists of history.

The Robeson in Peekskill Project endeavors to resurface the significance of the Peekskill riots by commemorating this pivotal moment in history and shedding light on its enduring impact. Through various initiatives such as public events, educational programs, and artistic endeavors, the project seeks to raise awareness about the events surrounding the Peekskill riots and their implications for civil rights and social justice. By documenting and sharing the stories of those involved, the project aims to ensure that the lessons learned from this dark chapter of the past are not forgotten and that future generations understand the importance of standing up against bigotry, intolerance, and injustice.