Century City Anti-War March — 50 Years Ago

Posted on June 23, 2017
Filed Under Culture, Politics | Leave a Comment

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June 23, 1967
Artist Unknown
Offset, 1967
California
16963

 

On June 23, 1967, 15,000 anti-Viet Nam War demonstrators marched to the Century Plaza Hotel where President Lyndon B. Johnson was speaking. It was the largest anti-war gathering in L.A. history up to that time. The peaceful march, made up primarily of students and middle class protesters, including children and babies in carriages, was attacked and forcibly dispersed by hundreds of nightstick-wielding police on motorcycles.

 

In 1997, on the 30th anniversary of the demonstration, the LA Times reported that “the bloody, panicked clash (that ensued between the LAPD and primarily middle class protesters) left an indelible mark on politics, protests and police relations. It marked a turning point for Los Angeles, a city not known for drawing demonstrators to marches in sizable numbers… Johnson rarely campaigned in public again, except for appearances at safe places like military bases. Within nine months, opposition to the war grew so strong that he shelved his reelection campaign.”

 

Produced immediately after the LAPD attacked the anti-Viet Nam War protest march at Century City, the poster features a police officer on a motorcycle. June 27, 1967, the date of the event, is depicted on his helmet. The officer’s body and motorcycle are filled with words such as “Hate,” “Kill,” and “Smash” while he rides over “Peace” and “Love.”

We were there!

Graphic and information courtesy of:
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