The Switch Up Election Series — 2024 DNC kicks off; Chicago mayor draws parallels to 1968

In 1968, the whole world had its eyes on Chicago. The Democratic National Convention had come to the city, and tensions were high due to Vietnam War protests and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.

Fast forward to 2024, and all eyes are once again on the Windy City as the Democratic convention kicks off this week. The past has been on full display as concerns around planned protests in the city have circulated for months and as Vice President Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) are set to formally accept the Democratic nomination for the White House.

With the ongoing wars between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and Russia and Ukraine, a recent assassination attempt on former President Trump and political division here at home, there’s no denying the similarities between the two years.

In this special election edition, The Switch Up spoke with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson ahead of the convention to take a deeper look at the parallels between 1968 and 2024 — and the implications it could have for November.

Listen above.

The Switch Up podcast series — hosted by The Hill’s Cheyanne M. Daniels — explores the intersection of race and politics through intimate conversations with leading scholars, advocates and legislators from communities of color. Follow The Switch Up on Spotify.