(NewsNation) — With pro-Palestinian protests taking place at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the city is remembering riots about the Vietnam War at the 1968 DNC that also took place in the city.
Former Chicago police officer Tom Faragoi, who responded to the riots in 1968, joined “NewsNation Now” to discuss the differences between then and now. Faragoi said that he thinks it won’t be as bad this year.
“This year, it feels … we’ve been trained a little better as far as controlling crowds,” Faragoi said. “This year, I can see things will be a little better, more under control. We’ve had better training, and I’m sure the police will do a great job.”
Outside of the 1968 DNC, people were protesting the Vietnam War, racial inequality and poverty. Violence ensued after protesters ignored police orders to leave where they were protesting.
Faragoi said that over 600 protesters were arrested. Chicago police officers and the National Guard were both present.
“We’ve been accused of using excessive force,” Faragoi said. “When we made an arrest, and they started fighting us and resisting us, we had no choice but to use superior force to overcome that and place them into custody.”
Faragoi told “NewsNation Now” that there should not be a repeat of the violence that occurred at the 1968 convention.
“There should be no violence, nobody injured, no more damage,” Faragoi said. “I have full faith in the Chicago police department to do their job and do it correctly.”