Toronto Star: 'We felt like the whole world was collapsing' (Democratic Convention '68)

[marmar]

'We felt like the whole world was collapsing'

Lynda Hurst
Feature Writer

There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
– Buffalo Springfield


Forty years ago today, the air was thick with foreboding as Democrats arrived in Chicago for their leadership convention. About 12,000 antiwar demonstrators were already there, along with assorted hippies, Yippies, anarchists and Marxists.

Chicago was ready. Its famously hotheaded mayor, Richard J. Daley, ordered in 18,000 police and National Guardsmen to keep protesters under control and away from the convention.

Not a chance.

The battle for the streets began almost immediately.

IN 1968, A SERIES of seismic events shook the world as what had been a faintly comic generation "gap" earlier in the decade morphed into a generational battleground – and a bloody one at that.

It was the year the front end of the baby boom (a term not yet in fatiguing use) realized it had the numbers to flex some political muscle.

The resulting upheaval was global. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thestar.com/News/Ideas/article/484286

[qwlauren35]

1. If I weren't so tired...

I'd read this. I love reviewing historic moments.