Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley has strongly defended the actions of his police department during the Democratic National Convention. A specially prepared 77 page report issued Sept. 6 by the mayor’s office stated that the disturbances and police actions were provoked by demonstrators led by out-of-town “revolutionaries.” The report also stated that police used the minimal amount of force necessary to control the protesters and added that demonstrators were encouraged by the news media to prolong confrontations with the police.
According to the report, 60 civilians received emergency treatment at hospitals.
However, a spokesman for the Medical Committee for Human Rights, the group in charge of medical operations in Chicago said that police had ordered the city’s hospitals not to give out information regarding injured demonstrators to anyone, the press in particular.
The Committee estimated that they treated over 1000 persons for the effects of tear gas during the week, and that their records, only three-quarters complete, showed 462 persons had received medical treatment, many for head, face, or neck injuries.
Police Superintendent James B Conlisk, Jr. promised to use more tear gas to control future demonstrations. He also announced plans to put shotguns in all squad cars and to send more policemen to army riot control schools.
