Forty years later, the words "Democratic National Convention" still carry incredible weight for Chicagoans.
For many, the 1968 protests redefined the city's place in political activism. At the intersection of Clark and LaSalle Streets , thousands of anti-war students heckled hundreds of police, who in turn responded with excessive force. Blood was shed on both sides, but fortunately, there were no fatalities.
The Fraternal Order of Police claims that reports from those protests (along with the 1969 Days of Rage) unfairly tarnish the officers' reputations.
The organization is planning a reunion for all Chicago riot police who were involved in the two infamous events. From the official Web site:
"The time has come that the Chicago Police be honored and recognized for their contributions to maintaining law and order – and for taking a stand against Anarchy.
"The time was the hot summer month of August '68. The Democratic National Convention was about to start and the only thing that stood between Marxist street thugs and public order was a thin blue line of dedicated, tough Chicago police officers.
"For decades the collective Left has white-washed what really happened during the riots of 1968 and 1969. Chicago police officers who participated in the riots continue to endure unending criticism – all of which is unwarranted, inaccurate and wrong."
Time-Out Chicago reports that Chicago Copwatch, an activist organization that "observes and documents police conduct", will hold a protest in response to the reunion.
"When [police] gather to celebrate one of the largest mass beatings in Chicago history they are also meeting to celebrate the savagery of that generation of the CPD. This is a celebration not only for the police who beat down DNC protesters, but also the ones who attacked the Puerto Rican community during 1966 Division Street Uprising, and assassinated Black Panther Party leaders Fred Hampton and Mark Clark. This reunion will be bringing together cops from this era with those who are currently oppressing our marches, occupying our communities, brutalizing, and murdering young people across the city."
The police reunion is set to take place on Friday, June 26, at the Chicago FOP Lodge. The responding protest will begin at 6 p.m. in Union Park (Ashland Ave and Lake St) and march to FOP headquarters.
It appears the '60s clash between protestors and police has been reborn.
Matt Bartosik, editor of Off the Rocks' next issue, is always interested in the history of political activism.
