Protests over Israel’s war in Gaza are intensifying, and activists are gearing up to make their voices heard at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this summer. The prospect of disruptive protests has some Democrats recalling the tumultuous 1968 convention in Chicago, where clashes between police and antiwar protesters overshadowed the event.
The current wave of protests could complicate the Democratic messaging for President Biden, with Republicans seizing on any signs of chaos to paint the administration as unable to maintain order. The specter of disorder at the convention has Democrats on edge, wary of a repeat of the events that marred the party’s image over 50 years ago.
While there are differences between now and 1968 in terms of how conventions are run, the legacy of the tumultuous past still looms large. The antiwar movement in the late 1960s had alienated many voters, and scenes of violence and unrest outside the convention hall ultimately played a role in Richard Nixon’s election.
As tensions rise and protests continue to disrupt campaign events, the nightmare scenario for Democrats is a chaotic scene reminiscent of 1968. With the specter of disorder looming over the convention, both parties are bracing for a potentially contentious and volatile summer.
