I was there on the West Side of Chicago in ‘68. The fires were widespread, looting was rampant, and the rioters were many. Many.
You too were on the westside in March 68?
Doug Andrews is the “radical” who gave the big speech in Garfield Park. Were you there as I was? How well did you know him? I had worked with him closely on the Lucy Jean Lewis for Alderman campaign in ‘65 in the 28th ward. I actually lived 5 blocks outside the 28th but knew many friends and enemies in it. The first place I lived in Chicago was in the 28th.
My first job after coming back from Vietnam Christmas 67 was insurance inspector for the inner city. Home Insurance Co was one of the big P&C writers in Lawndale/Garfield Park. I went into every one of their risks on the Westside (mostly apartment building and storfronts with apartments above). I talked with probably 50% of the tenants in those buildings.
Only a few had I previously worked for in politics as many buildings were in the 24th, 27th, 29th wards. But I had many friends and acquaintances in those wards also, like YMCA street worker Danny Davis (now Cogressman).