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1968 Reunion
Would you believe it?
Last week a group going by the name
Chicago Riot Cops, claiming no affiliation with the Chicago Police or the Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.), organized a reunion for the surviving officers involved in the riots surrounding the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
The Reunion was held on Friday, June 26
th. It was attended by retired, elderly members of the CPD, current CPD officers, their families, and, of course, a
bevy of protesters from
Chicago Copwatch, a group that observes and documents police action in an effort to curb brutality. Proving that the symbolism of '68 hasn't lost its sizzle, since it was the symbolism of the event
Copwatch was primarily protesting, and not the senior citizens attending the gathering in the Near West Side F.O.P. Hall per
se.
Though it is, admittedly, a bit confusing, if not confrontational, to commemorate an event that most would agree does not show the Chicago police in the most flattering light:
"Are these guys nuts?" asked Marilyn Katz, a protester at the 1968 convention in Chicago and now a president of a communications firm here. "Do they think it's really good PR for them?"
Even the police, while defending their right to assemble and reminisce, admit that the tactics used in 1968 were a mistake they have since corrected:
"Professionally, we've come a long way in policing in general. ... I think the people of this city have a lot to be proud of."
Here's some video produced by Chicago Copwatch of the protest march outside the F.O.P. hall.
Tom Hayden, back in action
Back in 1968, when he wasn't Snake Dancing, Tom Hayden organized the "Mobilization to End the War in Vietnam," which was more like an organization of organizations. Focusing on the narrow agenda of ending the war, Hayden, Rennie Davis, Dave Dellinger and others were able to bring a broad spectrum of political activists, from the "Black Panthers" to the "Catholic Nuns for Peace," into the anti-war fold.
Though Tom has kept plenty busy since, of particular interest are his latest attempts to organize today's nascent anti-war movement using the same techniques. With some 21st century "net-roots" assistance from MoveOn.org.
Hayden is dissatisfied with progress the elected Democrats - Barack Obama included - have made toward ending Bush-era militarism. Indeed, even today as things have
appeared to clam down in Iraq, Afghanistan still looms large as a contender for this generation's Vietnam-
esque quagmire.
Stumble It!
