This was the scene by Sunday morning a few blocks from our apartment. The rest of the National Guard was camped in a nearby park, and we walked over to see the encampment. I have never forgotten the image of the soldiers camped out in a lovely Chicago park. That display of military force brought in against a civilian population–however much it might have been needed–chilled me. I did not feel reassured, but felt deeply uneasy.
I returned to college that Sunday afternoon and resumed my studies. We talked more about the Viet Nam War than about Dr. King, though he had also been vocally opposed to the War. On March 31 President Johnson had announced that he was not going to run for reelection, throwing the Democratic nominating process open. On my campus, students began to support Eugene McCarthy.
Little did I know that by August Chicago would once more be occupied by the National Guard as mayhem broke out at the Democratic National Convention. This time I stayed away!
Saved By Words 
Good for you to stay away. It’s not a good place to be. I remember People Power in the Philippines. Rally that turns to mayhem. Glad to see you here to tell the stories.
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I know you understand how a rally can turn to a riot.
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I thought this was recent. Good you remember the details of the past.
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I think because it was so awful, it remains clear in my memory.
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I love you’re writing style. It really makes you feel like you’re there.
Awkwardfordays.com
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Thanks so much.
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We have heavily armed security guards (not soldiers) all over suburban and corporate South Africa, Elizabeth. It has become quite normal to see guards with machine guns lurking around. It is a horrible way to live.
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I had no idea. It is like that here in train stations and airports.
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Chilling. You put me right there.
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Thank you.
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