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The decision was particularly difficult for the Democrats that year, due to the split in the party over the Vietnam War. On one side, Eugene McCarthy put forward a decidedly anti-war campaign, calling for the immediate withdrawal from the region. On the other side, Hubert H. Humphrey called for a policy more in line with President Lyndon Johnson's policy, which focused on making any reduction of force contigent on concessions extracted in the Paris Peace Talks .

Anti-war demonstrators protested throughout the convention, clashing with police all around the convention center (in the streets and at Grant Park). Mayor Richard J. Daley took a particularly hard line against the protesters, refusing permits for rallies and marches, and calling for whatever use of force necessary to subdue the crowds. When Abraham Ribicoff delivered a speech nominating George McGovern for President, he infuriated Daley by saying, "with George McGovern as President of the United States, we wouldn't have Gestapo tactics in the streets of Chicago." Some of the more famous protesters, including Abbie Hoffman, Tom Hayden2004 Democratic National Convention Thomas Emmett "Tom" Hayden (born December 11, 1939) is an American social and political activist and politician, most famous for his involvement in the anti-war and civil rights movements of the 1960s. Hayden was born i, and Dave DellingerDavid Dellinger ( August 22, 1915- May 25, 2004) was a renowned pacifist and activist for nonviolent social change, and one of most influential American radicals in 20th century. He was most famous for being one of the Chicago Eight, a group of protesters, were collectively known as the "Chicago Eight" (later " Chicago SevenThe Chicago Seven were seven (originally eight) defendants charged with conspiracy, inciting to riot, and other charges related to violent protests that took place in Chicago, Illinois on the occasion of the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The conven") as they were charged with conspiracy in connection with the violence. On February 18February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 316 days remaining (317 in leap years). Events 3102 BC Epoch (origin) of the Kali Yuga. 1478 George, Duke of Clarence, convicted of treason against his older brother Edward IV of, 1970Events January events January 1 Construction begins on Arcosanti, by Paolo Soleri, in Mayer, Arizona, located 65, miles north of Phoenix, Arizona. January 1 Unix epoch at 00:00:00 UTC. January 12 Biafra capitulates, ending the Nigerian civil war. January they were found guilty of conspiring to incite riotNewark, New Jersey Riots occur when crowds of people have gathered and are committing crimes or acts of violence. Dispersing violent crowds is usually a task for the police, although widespread rioting may require military support. Unstable countries typis, but the charges were eventually dismissed by an appeals court. The Walker Report to the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence pinned the blame for the violence in the streets on the police, calling it a "police riot."

The Democrats eventually settled on Hubert H. Humphrey, but would lose the election to Richard M. Nixon. A significant number of Democrats were so enraged by the War in Vietnam that they failed to see differences between Humphrey and Nixon.

The 1969For other uses, see Number 1969. For the movie, see 1969 (movie). Events January January 1 Australian media baron Rupert Murdoch purchases the largest selling British Sunday newspaper The News Of The World January 5 The Derry Riots leave over 100 people i film Medium Cool, although centered on a fictional story and employing actors in the principal roles, includes a substantial amount of footage of the riots, filmed during the convention.