The were a series of violent direct actions and riots that took place from October 8–11, 1969 , in Chicago. Organized by the Weathermen (later the Weather Underground), a radical faction of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), the event was designed to "bring the war home" and ignite a domestic revolution against the Vietnam War and American imperialism. Context and Goals
Following the failure to spark a mass uprising, the Weathermen went underground, transitioning into a clandestine group that conducted a years-long bombing campaign against government and corporate targets. Days of Rage
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 The were a series of violent direct actions
The timing was intended to coincide with the trial of the Chicago Seven , activists charged with conspiracy following the 1968 Democratic National Convention protests. A final "vicious melee" occurred in The Loop
The violence alienated many in the broader anti-war movement. Black Panther leader Fred Hampton famously denounced the action as "anarchistic" and "folly".
A "Women’s Militia" led by Bernadine Dohrn attempted to raid a draft board office but was quickly neutralized by police.
Leaders like Bill Ayers , Bernadine Dohrn , and John Jacobs aimed to replace the American government with a revolutionary system. Key Events