Finally, riots broke out among the unemployed who condemned city leaders for their ineffective relief measures.
The riots of 1894, along with the Haymarket Affair, brought about a series of discussions about the workforce in America and the depression.
In 1904, the International Socialist Conference meeting in Amsterdam called on "all Social Democratic Party organizations and trade unions of all countries to demonstrate energetically on May First for the legal establishment of the 8-hour day, for the class demands of the proletariat, and for universal peace."
The congress made it "mandatory upon the proletarian organizations of all countries to stop work on May 1, wherever it is possible without injury to the workers.
Eventually scores of people lost their jobs and this led to the massive demonstrations and rallies.
[2] The mob marched through the manufacturing district of the city, called "The Flats" armed with clubs and stones.
One man attempted to restart his work, but was held by mob members while others fled from the building.
The workers of the shop joined the ranks of the men in their attack of the Upson Nut Works.
[2] People threw coal at the shop, breaking windows and knocking down workers before they had the chance to retreat.
This slight resistance made the mob take "vengeance by tearing the doors and gates to pieces.
"[2] The leaders of the riot planned an attack on the Faulhaber Furniture Company; but the police stopped them before there could be a repeat of the event at the Upson factory.
A throng of 200 Italians marched through the streets armed with clubs, iron and wire rods, and gate posts.
There was also considerable fear that the rioters would gather the dynamite used by the railroad companies to blow up factories and private residences; however, there is no evidence that they did so.