1968 Chicago Democratic National Convention 50th Anniversary

by Reno Lovison, Executive Producer – Chicago Broadcasting Network

For Chicago “Boomers” there are few events that define the city like the 1968 Democratic National Convention which celebrates its 50 Anniversary this weekend.

The clash of police and protestors that played out on national television illuminated the generation gap and the cultural gap that to great extent defined the era. The Vietnam conflict was at the core of the divide.

It was a graphic example of the deep division between those mostly young, born after WWII “boomers” who harbored anti-war sentiments and the traditional “my country right or wrong” mostly older WWII conservative “good war” generation.

Peppered into the cultural divide were frustrations and anger related to changing racial attitudes as well as gender equality and what was perceived by many as too much change too fast.

The pending Presidential elections meant there were strong feelings and heated debates among the many factions being represented and those who felt they were not being represented.

The 1968 DNC Riot was a confrontation that was perhaps going to happen someplace, somewhere but found its opportunity on August 27, 1968 in Grant Park along Michigan Avenue on the south end of “The Loop.”

Aged thirteen my friends and I were there most of the day, in and around the Hilton and Blackstone hotels, to have fun and play our small part in the cultural revolution by picking up bumper stickers, pamphlets and buttons mostly from McCarthy headquarters to distribute on the street.  We were aware of the demonstrations planned for later in the day but paid little attention to the crowds building in the park across the street.

At some point someone let us know that the popular musical group, “The 5th Dimension”  was going to be performing at Humphrey Headquarters in the lower level of the Hilton.

It is amazing to think how freely we moved around in and out of the buildings in those days. Perhaps it was due to our youth but I do not remember anyone questioning us.

After hearing the band we got news that there was some kind of commotion going on outside. I volunteered to research what was happening. I never saw my friends again that day.

Once in the lobby of the Hilton I could smell what turned out to be tear gas wafting into the building. I pushed my way between two policemen standing shoulder-to-shoulder at the door and could see the beginnings of what would soon become the well know melee.

Immediately turning to go back into the building one of the policeman barred my way.

“I just came out.” I pleaded. To which he replied, “Well you’re not going back in.”

I took a few tentative steps on to Michigan Avenue not sure exactly which way to go.

A young fellow came running by me and said, “Don’t go that way, they’re beating the sh*t out of people.” So I made my way west to Dearborn Street running north to Randolph Street then back east to Michigan Avenue and the comparative safety of the Illinois Central train station for my ride back home to South Shore.

This weekend a number of people gathered near the statue of the Civil War soldier to remember the events that occurred that day 50 years ago and became a flashpoint that defined  generation.

Learn more about this topic at Smithsonian