Philadelphia police said Tuesday it is unclear whether the incident in Northern Liberties was connected to May Day. May 1 is traditionally a rallying day for anti-capitalist and anarchist groups, dating to the 19th century and commemorating the Haymarket riot of 1886. That day in Chicago, someone lobbed a bomb at police during a rally for an eight-hour workday, and gunfire broke out. Several police officers and civilians were killed and dozens were wounded. The eight labor activists convicted of conspiracy in the aftermath — four of whom were executed — were pardoned seven years later by Illinois Gov. John Atgeld, who wrote there was no evidence they had been involved in the bombing.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Why anarchists pick May Day for their protests”
