Today in History: The Days of Rage were a series of violent anti-war protests in Chicago that coincided with the trial of the Chicago Eight, a group of protesters charged with conspiring to incite a riot. Organized by the Weatherman—later known as the Weather Underground—a radical faction of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). The slogan of the protests was “Bring the War Home” and was set to go from 8 October to 11 October.

The Days of Rage demonstrations did not turn out as Weatherman members had anticipated. The combination of low turnout and enormous numbers of police made for an even more violent demonstration than originally intended. The reaction to the Days of Rage demonstrations permanently damaged the relationship between Weatherman, SDS and the Black Panther Party while paving the way to more militant actions by Weatherman and eventually leading to the organization moving underground.

In the end, The Days of Rage cost Chicago and the state of Illinois about $183,000 ($100,000 for National Guard payroll, $35,000 in damages, and $20,000 for one injured citizen’s medical expenses). 287 members of Weather were arrested during the Days of Rage and most of Weatherman and SDS’ leaders were jailed.

October 08, 2012, 11:53am / 38