 Relations between Irish and Italian-American laborers at Mamaroneck had generally been hostile, as would be seen elsewhere in the country during the late 19th century, as Irish laborers objected to management importing cheaper labor in the form of recently arrived Italian immigrants.This feeling of animosity would result in several minor altercations two weeks prior to the incident.On the afternoon of August 5, an altercation occurred between two groups of Irish and Italian-American workers who had been employed in the renovation of Mamaroneck.