History Daily Chicago’s Days of Rage
Oct 8, 2025
In October 1969, Chicago became a battleground as the Weathermen, a radical left-wing group, organized violent protests. Led by figures like Mark Rudd, they aimed to recruit students for their revolutionary cause. Despite a low turnout, chaos ensued with riots in the Gold Coast, resulting in injuries and numerous arrests. The toll on the movement grew heavy, leading to its decline and eventual transition to the underground. The escalation and ideological shift of the Weathermen reflect a turbulent chapter in America's history.
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Boots-On-The-Ground Photojournal
- Photographer David Fenton documented the Weathermen as they marched into Chicago's Gold Coast and the first storefront was smashed.
- He captured chaotic scenes as activists moved from chanting to smashing windows and attacking police.
Radical Takeover Of SDS
- The Weathermen seized control of SDS after internal fights and pushed the group toward violent militancy.
- They envisioned urban guerrilla warfare as the path to revolution, inspired by Guevara and the Black Panthers.
Small Turnout, Large Violence
- On October 8, 1969, roughly 100–150 Weathermen marched into Lincoln Park then the Gold Coast, turning a small protest into violent rioting.
- By night’s end police had injured 28 officers, hospitalized six rioters, and arrested 68 participants.
