Michael Hinko Jr

There is a fascinating Wikipedia page about the history of the West Ukrainian People's Republic. The West Ukarianian People's Republic, aka the ZUNR, held power for only eight months. But the wiki acts as an explainer of the governance in the region where my Grandfather Hinko's family resided, more so than other documents I've read. I recommend reading this page and exploring the links.  The Poles, not accepting the ZUNR governing body, began an uprising. Their actions encompassed not only Lviv, but other cities including Przemyśl. Przemyśl is a city near Dobra, Sanok County, Poland, the rural village where my grandfather lived. Geographically, Dobra is located 61 km from  Przemyśl and 12 km from Sanok . When family members ask why Grandpa John and Grandma Sabina Hinko's marriage certificate lists their country of origin as Austria, I tell them it's complicated. But this Wikipedia page goes a long way to explaining how a village of Ukrainian people w...

With Chicago set to host the Democratic National Convention this summer I thought I'd post a document that was published following the 1968 Democratic National Convention. "The Strategy of Confrontation - Chicago and the Democratic National Convention - 1968" chronicles events, injuries, arrests, and problems occasioned by the so-called strategy of confrontation that produced the clashes between police and 'radicals' at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In a statement Mayor Richard J. Daley said, "I would like to say here and now that this administration and the people of Chicago have never condoned brutality at any time but they will never permit a lawless violent group of terrorists to menace the lives of millions of people, destroy the purpose of this national political convention, and take over the streets of Chicago." And so we have The Strategy of Confrontation. The Strategy of Confrontation   Daley had a way of communicating that...

The "Report of the Chicago Riot Study Committee to the Hon. Richard J. Daley" examines the causes and events of the civil unrest that took place in Chicago from April 5-7, 1968, following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The committee, led by local judges, business leaders, lawyers, and politicians, analyzed the social and economic conditions contributing to the riots. The report provides detailed accounts of the violence, property damage, and responses by the police and city officials, along with recommendations to prevent future disturbances. The report includes an examination of Mayor Daley's controversial "shoot to kill" order issued during the 1968 riots. The report provides context for the order, examining its impact on the events and public perception. Daley had instructed the police to "shoot to kill" arsonists and "shoot to maim" looters, a directive that drew significant attention and criticism. Report of the Chicago Riot...

As I walked around the protest encampment on the University of Wisconsin Madison campus I wondered why tent camps had become the symbol of protest here and on campuses across the nation. Encampment on the Library Mall, University of Wisconsin Madison, April 29, 2024 Activists have utilized tent encampments for many years. For instance, the 1968 Poor People's Campaign camped in "Resurrection City" on Washington D.C.'s National Mall to bring attention to poverty in America.  Photo of the 1968 Resurrection City camp: SCLC records, MARBL, Emory University   In 1932 the Bonus Army, a group of World War I veterans, set up camp in Washington, D.C. to demand early cash redemption of their service bonus certificates. Bonus Army, Camp Marks, Anacostia, Washington D.C., 1932 In each instance the tent camps draw attention to a cause. The protesters create a visual statement that they are not going anywhere anytime soon. In some cases this leads to a positive outcome, change for t...