Days Of Rage May 2026
The organizers believed peaceful protests were ineffective and that militant direct action was necessary to force a U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam.
A final "vicious melee" occurred in The Loop , Chicago's business district. During this clash, city attorney Richard Elrod was paralyzed after an altercation with a protester. Impact and Aftermath
Protesters gathered in Lincoln Park and charged through the affluent Gold Coast neighborhood, smashing windows of luxury cars, businesses, and the Chicago History Museum.
The resulting legal battles and internal divisions led to the collapse of the SDS as a national organization.
Over 280 people were arrested , and the city of Chicago suffered roughly $183,000 in damages and related costs.
A "Women’s Militia" led by Bernadine Dohrn attempted to raid a draft board office but was quickly neutralized by police.
The organizers believed peaceful protests were ineffective and that militant direct action was necessary to force a U.S. withdrawal from Vietnam.
A final "vicious melee" occurred in The Loop , Chicago's business district. During this clash, city attorney Richard Elrod was paralyzed after an altercation with a protester. Impact and Aftermath
Protesters gathered in Lincoln Park and charged through the affluent Gold Coast neighborhood, smashing windows of luxury cars, businesses, and the Chicago History Museum.
The resulting legal battles and internal divisions led to the collapse of the SDS as a national organization.
Over 280 people were arrested , and the city of Chicago suffered roughly $183,000 in damages and related costs.
A "Women’s Militia" led by Bernadine Dohrn attempted to raid a draft board office but was quickly neutralized by police.