United States: Chicago finds itself once again under the glare of national attention as it gears up to host the Democratic National Convention (DNC) this August. The memory of the tumultuous 1968 DNC, notorious for the violent clashes between Vietnam War demonstrators and law enforcement, remains an indelible mark on the city.
Currently, as societal tensions escalate, there is mounting apprehension that history could potentially replicate itself.
The prevailing atmosphere of discord across college campuses nationwide intensifies these concerns. Universities have morphed into epicenters of protest, with students vocalizing their grievances on issues ranging from rising tuition fees to social justice movements. This wave of discontent is not sequestered within academic walls; it threatens to overflow into the streets of Chicago during the convention, as per certain reports.
The Democratic Party’s recent struggles to maintain peace during the 2020 and 2021 disturbances are still vivid in the collective memory. With the DNC imminent, the prospect of anti-Israel protests sparking similar turmoil feels almost tangible. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling has endeavored to calm public fears, asserting, “This will not be 1968.” Nonetheless, despite his assurances, the city braces itself for potential upheaval.
In an effort to stave off disorder, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) has intensified its preparations. Officers are undergoing advanced training in non-violent methods, utilization of body shields, and crowd control techniques. Approximately 2,500 officers are receiving “tier one training” to handle the most volatile scenarios.
In a forthright op-ed for the Chicago Tribune, Snelling conceded that the department was unprepared during the 2020 riots but emphasized that significant improvements have been implemented. “We all aspire for the same outcome: a successful and safe convention. Together, we can—and we will—achieve that. We are prepared,” he penned. However, the urgency of the situation is unmistakable as the CPD hastens to ready itself for what could be another turbulent event.
For President Biden and the Democratic Party, the stakes are exceedingly high. The potential for riots poses a considerable threat to Biden’s re-election campaign. The party is acutely aware of the catastrophic “optics” that violent protests would create. As University of Alabama at Birmingham history professor Andrew Baer noted, “You don’t want the negative optics of either quashing a protest or the protest embarrassing the coronation of Biden,” as per reports.
The threat of unrest is not merely a political dilemma; it is an immediate and tangible risk to public safety. The memories of the 1968 convention serve as a somber reminder of the consequences when protests devolve into chaos.
As the DNC draws nearer, the sense of impending unrest is almost palpable. Chicago anticipates hosting around 50,000 visitors for the convention, and the city is on high alert. The confluence of current campus protests, historical precedents, and recent experiences with riots creates a volatile cocktail.
Despite the CPD’s comprehensive preparations, the specter of violence looms large. The city, the Democratic Party, and the nation will be watching intently to see if Chicago can avert a recurrence of the 1968 chaos. The true test of the city’s readiness and the party’s capability to maintain order will unfold in August.
Reportedly, in the coming weeks, as tensions continue to simmer, the question remains: It is worth asking how long this peace can last and whether Chicago is about to enter another period of conflict in its history. The answers could determine not just the direction of the Democratic Party and the political agenda in the United States but also the stability and structure of civil society in the country.