Peace
High School: Grades 9–12
Story
Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
Most people around Julia and Mark were shouting in support of Hayden's call to action. Mark had started to shout and was pumping his fist in the air like others near them in the crowd. Others, like Julia, were quieter. Then Dellinger grabbed the microphone. Julia prayed he would attempt to settle the crowd down. Dellinger calmly tried to explain the three options for the protesters: 1) line up for a nonviolent march to the Amphitheater; 2) leave and reassemble across from the Conrad Hilton on Michigan Avenue where the delegates were staying; or 3) stay in the park to avoid confrontation. 6
Julia was confused about what to do. The people on the stage seemed confused; all were advocating different tactics. The people around her and the National Guardsmen, however, were definitely not confused.
As masses of people started pushing their way out of the park, National Guardsmen with M-1 rifles, grenade launchers, bayonets, gas dispensers, and machine guns moved into the park. They began stationing themselves at the bridges that led from the park into the Loop. 7 Julia became more nervous as the crowd became more agitated and belligerent in their shouts of "Pigs!" Julia kept screaming "Peace now!" Mark was pumping his fist up and down in the air; he joined others in the crowd in their chants of "Hell no, we won't go!"
Julia wasn't sure what to do. The atmosphere contributed to her feeling increasingly agitated and belligerent herself. She knew what her rights were, but wasn't sure if she was willing to be a part of a riot for them. Seeing the belligerence on the part of the city made her increasingly angry, though.
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Through a bullhorn Dellinger again tried to urge people to march peacefully. Then, through another bullhorn, police informed the demonstrators that they were part of an illegal assemblage and would be arrested.8 The crowd was informed that negotiations on part of the marchers were taking place with the police. The results however, were disappointing. The police had no intention of letting the demonstrators leave the park and march towards the Amphitheater. It seemed that the march was breaking up.
Julia and Mark joined the throng leaving Grant Park. Thousands of demonstrators tried to join a peaceful march on Michigan Avenue that was already occurring. It turned out these demonstrators, sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Council, had a permit.
Julia took Mark by the hand and tried to convince him to join in the peaceful march. "The Amphitheater is on 47th Street. It's going to take hours to get there. But look, there are TV cameras in front of the Hilton. The more people that are here, the more the television cameras will want to film the anti-war protest."
Mark acquiesced. "I'll join you for awhile, then maybe I'll take the train south toward the Amphitheater."
As they joined the demonstrators, swarms of policemen surrounded the march. Suddenly Mark was shoved in the back with such force he fell to the ground. Julia turned in horror to see who had done it. Her mouth opened in disbelief as she saw that it was a policeman in full riot gear, holding a wooden club and yelling at Mark: "You're the pig! You are a sissy not to want to go to Vietnam and do what is right!" Then he kicked Mark several times in the stomach.
Julia started to scream at him, "Hey! You can't do that! He has the right to express his opinion..." The policeman shoved her in the stomach, and she fell to the ground next to Mark.
Julia tried to talk to Mark, but the only thing she could hear on top of the screaming was demonstrators yelling and chanting, "Dump the Hump!" "**** the pigs!" "**** you LBJ!" Julia began to yell "Peace Now!" "Peace Now!" over and over.
People started to throw rocks, bottles, and garbage at the police. More police arrived in riot gear. They were determined to clear Michigan Avenue and get the demonstrators away from the television cameras. Suddenly Mark vomited and Julia felt sick to her stomach. There was tear gas in the air.
As they lay on the ground, they covered their faces for fear of being trampled. As soon as she was able, Julia helped Mark to his feet. Then she noticed lights flickering on and off in the Hilton's windows. Guests, and maybe even some delegates, were showing their solidarity with the protesters.
"We're getting out of here," she commanded. They stumbled toward Van Buren and walked west to State Street to catch the train.
As they sat on the bench waiting for the distant rumble of the train coming from the south that would take them home, Julia put her face in her hands and began to sob. She didn't know what to feel. A well of emotions surged inside her. She felt angry, upset, disillusioned, and sick all at once. She wiped the tears from her face and turned her attention towards Mark.
Mark was someone who always meant what he said; his actions always spoke as clearly as his words. But she had never seen such a look in his eyes. She realized it was fear. Had he changed his mind?
She pulled Mark's head towards her shoulder and stroked his hair. "Maybe he's right," she thought to herself. "Maybe peaceful protest won't help end the war."
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