Today's I Remember JFK memory is one you're no doubt familiar with if you grew up in the 60's, even if, like me, you didn't have a clue who they were or what they did. That's because you heard their moniker, the Chicago Seven, every night on the news.
Indeed, I grew up with the name of the group on trial as familiar with me as terms like Vietnam, Gemini, Martin Luther King, and other subjects of newscasts. But the Chicago Seven were baffling to a kid, because it just wasn't clear why they were in trouble.
They were charged with, among other things, conspiracy. That was rather frightening, because conspiring was supposed to be an okay thing to do. After all, didn't the song Walking in a Winter Wonderland say "Later on, we'll conspire, as we dream by the fire?" Evidently, if we did, we would be subject to arrest.
It was all very confusing to a kid. I was confused enough, because I would overhear my mom say things to my older brother like if he dropped out of school, he would be sent to Vietnam and would be shot. Now THAT was an incentive to keep the grade average up!
The Chicago Seven were on trial because of riots at the 1968 Democratic Convention. They were charged with inciting the riots, and other offenses related to stirring the pot which caused violent demonstrations. The eight, later pared down to seven, were extreme radicals. They were Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, and Lee Weiner. Black Panther Bobby Seale was removed from the trial by a whopping four-year sentence for contempt of court.
I feel sorry for the judge, Julius Hoffman. He was from a generation that was trained to be polite. He presided over a trial of radicals who weren't afraid to display extreme behavior to get their points across. And display it they did.
One particularly stormy day, Hoffman and Rubin walked in dressed in judicial robes. Hoffman blew kisses at the jury. They were charged with contempt, of course.
In reality, it all seems kind of funny now, but I recommend you read James Michener's Kent State: What Happened and Why to understand the real fear that was felt by members of law enforcement and judges. It was a real eye-opener to me.
Anyhow, the media delighted in reporting the antics of the Seven, and Hoffman's attempts to maintain order in his court. Hoffman was called a "fascist dog," a "pig," and a "racist" by Seale, hence his long contempt sentence.
In the end, they were acquitted of practically all of the charges, and the few they were convicted of were later overturned. Hoffman was reviled by the radical culture as a hopeless member of the Establishment.
Protests continue today, but more often in the milder form of slams at Oscar presentations. I don't know about you, but I really don't miss the days when riots would often accompany public conventions.
Comments (2)
I know of the individuals within the C7. And I remember the riots too! In 68 and 69, most of Washington DC was burning! It was a scarey time. My dad worked in the Governemnt Buildings downtown and was in lock down due to the rioting! I understand the right to protest, but not with violence! The Fire Department that I am a member actually was called in the late sixties to help DC with the burning buildings. The ladder truck was fitted with steel planks and chicken wire for protection. The truck did receive a stray bullet! I wasn't a member back then, I was hust a young boy.
Posted by Rivers End | June 17, 2009 9:31 AM
Posted on June 17, 2009 09:31
The trial of the Chicago 7 was and is rather remarkable. I appreciate Ron’s observation of what could be seen as disrespect shown by the 7 to the judge and court. The problem back there in the 60s was that a real large fracture and gap had come about between the old guard and the new and neither one seemed to understand or like the other. They could not see that there was anything in common and they each hated what was different. Look at the extreme reaction of the country to the early MAD magazine and you can see the great chasm forming between the 2.
While Judge Hoffman required respect and I think there is some validity to that, I also see the perspective of the 7. Many of Hoffman’s actions and judgments ignored many laws and procedures. While it is one thing to show mock respect for the law while actually ignoring it and violating it, it is another to actually be guided by the real rules of court and respect valid arguments and the 7 did have many valid arguments, even involving Constitutional rights and Bills of rights. Hoffman often trampled those into the ground.
It was hard for the 7 to respect this type of kangaroo court. Their contempt and disrespect for a court totally ot of control is also easy to understand and even sympathize with. I think they may have went too far but then again, I could be wrong. Sometimes drastic situations call for drastic measures. The youth were irreverent and loved parody. The older generation did not understand this sense of humor or satire.
But if one is to forsake violence, then thee must be an outlet allowed. But it could be that the court is the wrong place and forum for that. Order and respect are important, even if the court is behaving badly. Chaos is the worst of all situations.
I see riots as unconstructive and immature anger, without thought. But I see learning, talking, and publicity as good things. Stimulating intelligent discussion and thought with a constructive end in sight is very good. The 60s youth acted often with minimal experience and minimal thought. They also did not appreciate their own subversive desires we all carry around deep inside us. But they did think and question as never before and the old evil guard did not like that.
I invite you all to visit YouTube for “Kennedy Speech Conspiracy Secret Societies”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeYgLLahHv8
Kennedy was aware of a serious danger and I think many of the young were beginning to sense it, too. Kennedy died for his open declaration of war on evil and secrecy. It is difficult when young and boisterous to choose a wise path, especially when there are few sources recommending anything. The 60s had a hidden danger and turbulence not readily evident until the casualties of Viet Nam started piling up. But Jack saw it all and much more way back in 1961 and throughout his campaign as well. His words probably sounded silly in 61, but in 2010, not so many are laughing as much now. Maybe he did know what he was talking about and maybe the Chicago 7 did, too, in their own way.
Posted by Scott Irv | January 3, 2010 10:15 PM
Posted on January 3, 2010 22:15