Douglas Wachter
My photographs of San Francisco Bay Area politics in the 1960s
1968 — Peace demonstration at San Francisco City Hall Plaza
As the Vietnam War dragged on, and American and Vietnamese casualties mounted, American youth stepped up their mass demonstrations against the War. In April, 1968, a rally was held in San Francisco's City Hall Plaza. The crowd, estimated at several thousand, stretched from City Hall to the Plaza pond and beyond.
Although nudity was not a typical part of the demonstrations against the Vietnam War, one protester/exhibitionist took advantage of the warm weather and the ready-made audience to strip and wade in the Plaza pond in his birthday suit, acknowledging the crowd with what looked like gestures of blessing.
The crowd of thousands listens to the rally speakers.
These enthusiastic demonstrators showed their approval.
Some of the younger demonstrators couldn't resist the urge to jump in the City Hall Plaza, pond, get wet and cool off.
This anti-war protester was into the spirit of the day, body and soul.