Walker Report

Walker Report. Officially titled *Rights in Conflict*, the report was the result of an investigation commissioned by President Lyndon B. Johnson to examine the violent clashes between police and demonstrators during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The investigation was led by attorney Daniel Walker, who later became Governor of Illinois, and was conducted under the auspices of the Chicago Crime Commission. Its stark conclusions about police behavior during the convention protests generated immediate controversy and had a lasting influence on public perceptions of the event and on subsequent discussions of police conduct.

Background and context

The report was commissioned in the wake of the widespread television coverage of the confrontations in Grant Park and the streets surrounding the International Amphitheatre during the convention. President Lyndon B. Johnson, facing intense political pressure, directed the Chicago Crime Commission to establish a fact-finding body. The commission selected Daniel Walker, a senior executive at Montgomery Ward and former staffer for Adlai Stevenson II, to lead the inquiry. The context was one of profound national division over the Vietnam War, with protest groups like the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam (the Mobe) and the Youth International Party (Yippies) planning major demonstrations to coincide with the gathering of the Democratic Party.

Key findings and conclusions

The report's most famous and damning conclusion was that the Chicago Police Department had engaged in what it termed a "police riot." It documented numerous instances of excessive force, noting that while some protesters provoked officers, the police response was often indiscriminate and violent against bystanders, journalists, and medical personnel. The report criticized the actions of the Illinois National Guard and other law enforcement agencies, though it placed primary blame on the Chicago Police Department. It also found that the city's denial of protest permits and the inflammatory rhetoric of officials, including Mayor Richard J. Daley, contributed significantly to the tense atmosphere.

Methodology and sources

Daniel Walker and his team employed a methodical approach, collecting over 20,000 pages of statements from 1,410 eyewitnesses, including police officers, protesters, residents, and journalists. The investigators reviewed hundreds of hours of television footage from networks like CBS News and NBC News, as well as numerous photographs and official documents. They conducted extensive interviews and sought testimony from a wide range of participants, from members of the Students for a Democratic Society to commanders in the Chicago Police Department. This multi-source methodology was designed to cross-verify accounts and build a comprehensive narrative of the events.

Impact and reception

Upon its release, the report had an explosive impact on public opinion and political discourse. Media outlets, including *The New York Times* and *The Washington Post*, gave its findings prominent coverage, amplifying its central "police riot" characterization. The findings were cited extensively during the subsequent trial of the Chicago Seven, a group of protest leaders charged with conspiracy. The Chicago Police Department and Mayor Richard J. Daley vehemently rejected the conclusions, accusing the report of bias. However, the report's credibility was bolstered by its detailed evidence and was influential in the findings of the later National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence.

Aftermath and legacy

The long-term legacy of the report is substantial. It served as a critical reference point for official inquiries into police conduct during civil disturbances and influenced reforms in police crowd-control tactics. The document remains a primary historical source for understanding the events of the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the era's social conflicts. Daniel Walker's political career was elevated by his role, aiding his successful campaign for Governor of Illinois in 1972. The report's phrase "police riot" entered the lexicon of American political discourse, setting a precedent for how future confrontations between authorities and citizens would be analyzed and judged.

Category:1968 in American politics Category:Political history of Chicago Category:1968 documents