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Posted on 06/11/2025 5:09:02 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
New York City Draft Riots (July 13-16, 1863)
Opposition to Civil War conscription sparked riots in New York City, primarily among Irish immigrants. Mobs attacked government buildings, looted, and targeted Black residents, killing at least 120. Federal troops (~4,000) from the Battle of Gettysburg restored order, killing dozens of rioters in street battles, one of the largest federal responses to urban unrest at the time.
Eutaw Riot, Alabama (1870)
The Ku Klux Klan attacked a Republican rally in Eutaw, Alabama, targeting Black voters. Federal troops (~500) restored order, an early use of federal force against racial violence in the Reconstruction-era South.
Coeur d'Alene Labor Confrontation, Idaho Silver Valley (1892, 1899)
Miners struck against harsh conditions in Idaho's Silver Valley. In 1892, clashes with company guards led to ~1,000 federal troops suppressing unrest, arresting dozens. In 1899, miners dynamited the Bunker Hill mine, prompting 1,500 federal troops to declare martial law and detain hundreds, favoring corporate interests.
Pullman Strike (1894)
A nationwide railway strike disrupted commerce. President Cleveland deployed ~2,000 federal troops, primarily in Chicago, to break the strike, citing mail interference. Clashes killed over a dozen and led to hundreds of arrests, protecting industry.
1919 Anarchist Bombings (April-June 1919)
Galleanist anarchists targeted officials with 36 mail bombs in April, intercepted, and nine larger bombs on June 2 across eight cities (Boston, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., New York City, Pittsburgh, Paterson, Newton). One bomber and one watchman died. The Bureau of Investigation (BOI) led a federal law enforcement response, creating a Radical Division under J. Edgar Hoover, without troop deployment.
Palmer Raids (November 1919-January 1920)
Fearing communist uprisings, Attorney General Palmer's raids targeted radicals, detaining 3,000-10,000 across 33-36 cities, with 3,500 held. Federal BOI agents and local police, without National Guard, conducted warrantless raids, deporting 556, including Emma Goldman.
Centralia Riots, Washington (November 11, 1919)
The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) clashed with American Legion members in Centralia, Washington, killing six. Federal authorities arrested IWW leaders under anti-sedition laws, deporting some without troops or National Guard, targeting Wobblie organizing as a communist threat.
Wall Street Bombing (September 16, 1920)
A horse-cart bomb on Wall Street killed 38 and injured 300. Suspected Galleanists were investigated, but no arrests were made. The BOI led a federal law enforcement response without troops or National Guard.
Tulsa Race Massacre (May 31-June 1, 1921)
White mobs attacked Tulsa's Black Greenwood District, killing 100-300 and burning 35 square blocks. The Oklahoma National Guard (~500 troops) interned Black residents, offering little protection. No federal troops were deployed, showing limited action against racial violence.
Sacco and Vanzetti Case (1920-August 23, 1927)
Italian anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were convicted in 1921 for a 1920 robbery and murder in Braintree, Massachusetts. Their execution on August 23, 1927, sparked riots in Boston and New York. Massachusetts Governor Alvan Fuller deployed 500 Massachusetts National Guard troops in Boston, with no federal troops involved. Over 100 arrests were made, with minor injuries. The Guard contained the unrest, reflecting state-led responses to anarchist-related violence.
Little Rock Integration Crisis (September 4-25, 1957)
Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus deployed ~300 Arkansas National Guard troops to block nine Black students from entering Central High School, defying desegregation. President Eisenhower federalized the Guard and sent 1,000 troops from the 101st Airborne Division to escort the students. Federal forces stayed for months, preventing major violence, enforcing civil rights.
Ole Miss Riot, Mississippi (September 30-October 1, 1962)
White segregationists rioted against Black student James Meredith's enrollment at the University of Mississippi, attacking marshals. Federal troops (3,000) and nationalized Mississippi National Guard (10,000) restored order after two deaths and hundreds of injuries, enforcing civil rights.
University of Alabama Stand (June 11, 1963)
Governor George Wallace blocked Black students from the University of Alabama. The Alabama National Guard (~500 federalized troops) forced Wallace to step aside without violence, reinforcing federal authority.
Selma to Montgomery March, Alabama (March 7-25, 1965)
Civil rights activists, led by Martin Luther King Jr., marched from Selma to Montgomery for voting rights, following "Bloody Sunday" when state troopers attacked 600 marchers. President Johnson federalized 1,900 Alabama National Guard troops and sent 2,000 federal troops, 100 FBI agents, and 100 U.S. Marshals to protect 25,000 marchers during the third attempt. The ~4,000 personnel ensured the march's completion, leading to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Watts Riots, Los Angeles (August 11-17, 1965)
A Black motorist's arrest sparked riots in Watts, killing 34 and injuring over 1,000. The California National Guard (14,000 troops) was deployed, with no federal troops, showing a state-led response.
March on the Pentagon (October 21-22, 1967)
Anti-Vietnam War protesters (100,000) rallied, with 35,000 marching to the Pentagon. Clashes were met by 300 U.S. Deputy Marshals and 5,000-6,000 Army troops with rifles. Over 600 were arrested. No National Guard was deployed, but the federal response showed preparedness.
Newark Riots (July 12-17, 1967)
The beating of a Black cab driver triggered riots in Newark, killing 26 and injuring 700. The New Jersey National Guard (5,000 troops) was deployed, with federal logistical support but no troops.
Detroit Riots (July 23-27, 1967)
A police raid on a Black bar ignited Detroit's riots, killing 43 and injuring 1,200. The Michigan National Guard (10,000) and federal troops (4,700 from 82nd and 101st Airborne) were deployed, indicating significant federal involvement.
Washington, D.C., Riots (April 4-8, 1968)
Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination triggered riots in Washington, D.C., killing 13 and injuring over 1,000. President Johnson deployed 13,600 federal troops (Marines and Army) and 1,750 D.C. National Guard troops, arresting over 6,100. The 15,350 personnel was one of the largest federal responses to urban unrest.
1968 Democratic National Convention Riots, Chicago (August 26-29, 1968)
Anti-Vietnam War protesters (~10,000) clashed during the DNC in Chicago. Mayor Daley deployed 12,000 police, 5,600 Illinois National Guard troops, 6,000 federal troops, and 5,000 additional Guard on alert, totaling ~23,000 personnel. Violence injured 668 and led to 668 arrests. Federal troops stayed in reserve.
Compton and Other 1960s Race Riots
Compton saw unrest tied to the 1965 Watts riots. Other 1967 riots in Milwaukee, Cincinnati, and elsewhere followed police-incident triggers. National Guard units (5,000-10,000 per city) were deployed, with federal support limited to logistics. The 1968 riots after MLK's assassination hit 168 cities, managed by ~50,000 Guard troops nationwide.
Kent State Shootings, Ohio (May 4, 1970)
Protests against the Vietnam War's Cambodia expansion at Kent State saw students burn an ROTC building. Ohio's 900 National Guard troops fired on unarmed protesters, killing four and wounding nine. No federal troops were involved.
Mayday Protests, Washington, D.C. (May 1-3, 1971)
Anti-Vietnam War activists (50,000) aimed to shut down D.C. Police (5,100), National Guard (1,500), and federal troops (8,000, including Marines and 82nd Airborne) made over 7,000 arrests. The 14,600 personnel secured key areas, preventing major disruptions.
Rodney King Riots, Los Angeles (April 29-May 4, 1992)
The acquittal of four LAPD officers in the beating of Rodney King sparked riots in Los Angeles, killing 63 and causing $1 billion in damage. Governor Pete Wilson deployed 10,000 California National Guard troops, and President Bush sent 4,500 federal troops (Marines and Army) and 1,200 federal law enforcement officers. Arrests exceeded 12,000, and the 15,700 personnel restored order by May 4.
WTO Riots, Seattle (November 30-December 3, 1999)
Anti-globalization protesters (~40,000) disrupted the WTO conference in Seattle, causing $20 million in damage. Seattle police (1,000) were overwhelmed, and Governor Gary Locke deployed 300 Washington Army National Guard troops to secure the convention center, assisting police with tear gas and rubber bullets. Over 600 arrests were made. No federal troops were deployed, but FBI and Secret Service supported local efforts.
Los Angeles ICE Riots (June 6-11, 2025)
Protests after ICE raids detained 150+ undocumented immigrants escalated with 1,000+ protesters near Los Angeles' Metropolitan Detention Center. Radical leftist groups, including National Students for Justice in Palestine, chanted "Abolish ICE." President Trump deployed 2,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines, with federal agents arresting 40+. Democratic leaders like Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass criticized the raids, with Bass accused of delaying police support, fueling claims of Democratic sympathy for rioters aiming to destabilize the U.S. The 2,700 troops reflect escalation against perceived insurrectionist activity.
Summary Table of Deployments
The table below summarizes police, National Guard, and federal troop deployments for each event, including per capita deployment based on U.S. population estimates for the respective years (sourced from historical U.S. Census data or projections). Per capita figures are calculated as police, National Guard, and federal troops per 1 million people. Events with no troop deployments are included with zero counts for clarity.
| Event | Deployed* | Deployed per Capita* |
|---|---|---|
| New York City Draft Riots (1863) | 4,000 | 98 |
| Eutaw Riot, Alabama (1870) | ~500 | 11 |
| Coeur d'Alene Labor Confrontation (1892) | 1,000 | 15 |
| Coeur d'Alene Labor Confrontation (1899) | 1,500 | 21 |
| Pullman Strike (1894) | 2,000 | 30 |
| 1919 Anarchist Bombings | 0 | 0 |
| Palmer Raids (1919-1920) | 0 | 0 |
| Centralia Riots (1919) | 0 | 0 |
| Wall Street Bombing (1920) | 0 | 0 |
| Tulsa Race Massacre (1921) | 500 | 5 |
| Sacco and Vanzetti Case (1927) | 500 | 4 |
| Little Rock Integration Crisis (1957) | 1,300 | 8 |
| Ole Miss Riot (1962) | 13,000 | 70 |
| University of Alabama Stand (1963) | 500 | 3 |
| Selma to Montgomery March (1965) | 4,000 | 21 |
| Watts Riots (1965) | 14,000 | 72 |
| March on the Pentagon (1967) | 5,300-6,300 | 27-32 |
| Newark Riots (1967) | 5,000 | 25 |
| Detroit Riots (1967) | 14,700 | 74 |
| Washington, D.C., Riots (1968) | 15,350 | 76 |
| 1968 DNC Riots, Chicago | 23,000 | 114 |
| Compton and Other 1960s Riots (1968) | 50,000 | 249 |
| Kent State Shootings (1970) | 900 | 4 |
| Mayday Protests, D.C. (1971) | 14,600 | 71 |
| Rodney King Riots (1992) | 15,700 | 61 |
| WTO Riots, Seattle (1999) | 1,300 | 5 |
| Los Angeles ICE Riots (2025) | 2,700 | 8 |
*Troops, National Guard & Police
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The bottom line is that the current deployment per capita to quell the ICE riots is small.
A good enhancement to the table would be number of arrests; number of deaths of rioters; and number of deportations.
It's interesting to notice the evolution of the riots, disturbances and insurrections. They started with the Draft Riots in NYC in the Civil War, then moved to labor riots, then to communist insurgents in the USA in the late 1910s and 1920s. The USA and J Edgar Hoover took the communist threat and sedition very seriously after WW I and really stifled that seditious rioting. Then, the focus shifted to race and integration riots and their derivatives starting in the 1950s with an interlude for anti-Vietnam war riots.
As we all know, the current riots are opportunistic and are using the ICE enforcement as a pretext for the Communist / Color Revolution. We need another J Edgar Hoover.
You missed George Floyd riots in 2020. 40K National Guard troops.
Thanks. I remembered I forgot it, but then promptly forgot to add it!
Grant sent troops to SC to quell the KKK.
bookmarked
Don’t forget the 1932 Bonus Army that was ejected form DC by federal forces led by Douglas MacArthur.
Bkmrk
Well, add it then!
lol
The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. George Washington himself saddled up to lead the troops. He was putting a rebellion of distillers in Pennsylvania who were refusing to pay federal excise taxes.
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