The Days of Rage, initiated by the Weather Underground Organization, was a series of radical protests aimed at opposing the Vietnam War and the societal status quo of the time. The opening rally in Chicago attracted hundreds of participants, many of whom were college students disillusioned with traditional forms of protest. The Weather Underground was known for its militant approach, advocating for direct action as a means to spur revolutionary change. The group had gained notoriety following the 1968 Democratic National Convention, which had sparked a wave of unrest and activism across the United States.

During the opening rally, activists marched through the streets, shouting slogans and engaging with onlookers as they made their way to a central meeting point. The demonstrators targeted high-profile locations associated with capitalism and imperialism, including banks and businesses, which they saw as complicit in the war efforts. The event aimed not only to raise awareness of the anti-war sentiment but also to provoke confrontation with law enforcement, showcasing the group’s willingness to escalate their tactics. This approach aimed to galvanize a broader mass of young people into more radical political engagement.

The Days of Rage signaled a significant shift within the anti-war movement, moving away from peaceful protests toward a more confrontational style. Throughout the duration of the campaign, protesters engaged in acts of civil disobedience and vandalism, attracting national media attention and sparking debates about the legitimacy of their methods. The rally and subsequent events highlighted the deep divisions in American society regarding the Vietnam War and established the Weather Underground as a prominent, albeit controversial, voice in the struggle against U.S. foreign policy.