1968 Essay

The year 1968 is known as the year of protests. Many protests occurred that year due to political turbulence, and mass civil unrest. Outside the 1968 Democratic Convention held in Chicago, Illinois, protestors gathered to protest for civil rights, anti-war, and police brutality. Demonstrators were there to send a message peacefully to the U.S. government. Tensions between protestors and police rose. Violence burst out. The riots were caused by protestors resisting and fighting back when being arrested. Police officers were also at fault as they lost control of the situation and used excessive force on anyone they saw. They even targeted innocent civilians walking by the protests. Mayor Richard Daley was also at fault for his handling

According to an interview at the 1968 Democratic Convention, ”A medic who was called at the scene of the riots was hit with nightsticks by officers due to helping a hurt protester. This shows that not only were protestors being hit by officers, but also medics who arrived at the scene to try and help hurt protests. They used excessive force on an innocent person doing their job. Officers using excessive force shows how the police were at fault. The excessive force didn't calm down the crowd, it only made it even worse. According to The 1968 Democratic Convention Reforms and Party Democracy, “As there were too many protestors to clear out the street, police officers started throwing tear gas. As protestors moved back, they were rushed by officers with batons. Some were hit and arrested” (Center 247). This shows that police officers lost control of the situation and resorted to using excessive force against protestors to try and make arrests. They were arresting protestors, but innocent people as well. They would hit anyone they saw near the protestors. That included innocent civilians. They were outnumbered. Being outnumbered, they decided that the only way that they could make arrests was to rush at the crowd. Despite officers trying to make arrests on those who were violently protesting, they couldn't keep the situation under control and resorted to violent acts. The officers' decision-making helped start the riots, making them at