What event led to the public outcry against labor unions during the late 19th century?

The Haymarket Affair was a pivotal event that contributed to the public outcry against labor unions during the late 19th century. This incident took place in Chicago in 1886, where a peaceful rally in support of workers striking for an eight-hour workday turned violent after a bomb was thrown into the crowd, resulting in the deaths of several police officers and civilians. The aftermath of the bombing led to a media frenzy that unfairly painted labor unions as dangerous and violent organizations.

As a result of the Haymarket Affair, public perception shifted negatively towards labor movements, associating them with anarchy and unrest. The trials that followed and the executions of several anarchists further entrenched the fears surrounding union activities, driving a wedge between the general public and labor organizations. This event underscored the fraught relationship between labor and law enforcement during that period, significantly affecting the labor movement's ability to gain public support in its quest for workers' rights.