Running Tour of The 1968 Democratic National Convention Protests

Photo credit: ST-17500734-E1, Chicago Sun-Times collection, Chicago History Museum

In 1968, activists participated in a series of protest in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention. For around seven days, an estimated 10,000 Vietnam War protesters showed up in the city, and the response to the protesters was unprescendented police brutality and the infamous indictment of several well-known organizers.

On this tour, John Foley will lead readers & runners on a 3-mile guided runing route around the Loop, speaking about the history, political situation, and involved parties of the Chicago 7 (originally dubbed "Conspiracy 8"), eight young men indicted by the federal government for conspiracy to incite a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

No prior reading required, but as we run routes built by stories, this route is inspired by by Lee Weiner.

Here's what else you need to know:

MEET: Meet between 9:45-10:00am on Saturday, September 21 to the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel (12 S Michigan) in the Loop.

ROUTE: We will run an easy-paced (11:00 min/mile), ~3-mile route stopping at several locations important in this history. Not planning to run? Cyclists, rollers, rollerblades, scooters, and more welcome (take care of your own safety, please!)

END: After our 3-mile running tour, we'll have post-run social time and discussion at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel (12 S Michigan) in the Loop.

OPTIONAL PREPARE: This event is a running tour and no prior reading is required. If you'd like to purchase a copy of the book inspiring this memoir before attending, here is the link.

All registered readers & runners will receive reminder emails and details 2 days and 4 hours prior to the event.

About your : John (he/him/his) has been a CPS teacher for 16 years working with a wide array of students and young adults throughout Chicago. He has written and taught curriculums focused on the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and of course, Chicago. He volunteers at the non-profit, Open Books, which promotes literacy throughout the city, he is part of numerous book clubs, and juggles reading at least 5 other books at any given time.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN: If it becomes unsafe to run outside, we will hold an alternative version of the event indoors beginning at 10am. You will be notified via email no later than 8:00am on Saturday, September 21 if there are any changes to the event as listed here.

Read & Run Chicago is a chapter of Read & Run Tours, the country’s first and only organization that hosts running events inspired by books. Founded in 2021 by queer educator, freelance writer, and runner Allison Yates, the mission of Read & Run Tours, LLC and the city chapters is to use movement and stories to explore locations. Our community-focused run programming includes running tours, book club runs, author talks, and other literary-themed fun runs all inspired by books set in the cities where chapters are located, written by local authors. While connecting runners to the city’s stories, we also actively support literacy programs, public libraries, independent bookstores, and local authors.

In Chicago, we have hosted more than 60 events (in English and Spanish) for over 300 Chicagoans, featuring over 30 authors or local experts, and we have been featured in various media outlets including CNN, Runner’s World, Midwest Living, NBC’s Chicago Today, Fox32 Good Day Chicago, WGN Radio, Block Chicago, and more.

More information at readandrunchicago.com, Instagram, and Facebook.

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