President Johnson on podium addressing crowds. Camera pans across crowd to sign-waving pickets. Police move in, tear up signs and take pickets away.




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Background: President Johnson visited New York Wednesday (12 October) to campaign on behalf of the Democratic candidate for governor of New York State, Frank O'Connor. During one appearance in the borough of Brooklyn, an address by the president was interrupted by protests against the war in Viet Nam. Police and security officers quickly ended the demonstration.

The President's trip to New York went smoothly at most of his appearances around the city. He appeared on platforms with the Democratic party candidate for Governor, Frank O'Connor. Also on hand was Robert F. Kennedy, a Democratic Senator from New York State.

In Brooklyn's Albee Square, an address by the President was interrupted by a group of some 200 to 300 anti-Viet Nam war pickets among a crowd of about four thousand persons. Among the pickets were seven young men who began chanting: "End the war in Viet Nam." Signs held by the pickets were pulled down and ripped up by pro-President Johnson members of the crowd. Police, some in uniform some in plainclothers, moved in and carried the demonstrators off. A total of nine persons were arrested in connection with the protest.