Chicago Conspiracy Trial
One of the most unusual courtroom
spectacles
in American history, this collection contains materials from the 1969-70 trial of eight radicals accused of
conspiring
to incite a riot at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Documents
![Chicago Conspiracy Trial](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
Date: 12/13/1973Call Number: KP 073Format: 1/4 7 1/2 ipsProducers: Claude Marks, Andy TruskierCollection: Chicago Conspiracy Trial
Documentary about the Chicago eight conspiracy trial, includes amazing actual courtroom recordings including the exchange between prosecutors, Judge Hoffman and Black Panther Bobby Seale - resulting in Hoffman having Seale bound and gagged, Bobby Seale tring to speak while bound and gagged, the outrage expressed by Attorney William Kunstler in Court at Bobby Seale's treatment and the refusal of the court to allow Ralph Abernathy to testify. Other interviews include Attorney Leonard Weinglass and defendant Tom Hayden.
![The Neon Oven- The Chicago Eight](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
Date: 12/13/1969Call Number: KP 226Format: Cass A & BProducers: Lincoln BergmanProgram: KPFACollection: Chicago Conspiracy Trial
Attorneys and experts discuss the case the trial of Bobby Seale and the original "Chicago Eight." They compare the sentencing of the other members to the sentencing and courtroom treatment (bounding and gagging) of Bobby Seale by Judge Hoffman. Also briefly mentioned is the case of Fred Hampton murdered by authorities after they raided his home/Black Panther headquarters. Both Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were killed in this government attack.
![Chicago Conspiracy Trial - Part 1: The Trial of Bobby Seale](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
Bobby Seale on Racism and fascism in America, what the trial represents, war on the constitutional Rights of Black and Brown people, Warren Kimbrow and Sergeant Vincent De Rosa.
Charles Garry on the trial and climate of judicial prejudice, the trial's impact on the country and the genocide of the Black Panther Party.
National distribution of these tapes as through activist networks in preparation for the TDA ("The Day After") demonstration to be initiated the day following the announcement of the verdicts by Judge Julius Hoffman (February 18, 1970). Demonstrations broke out in a number of cities on February 19; a police riot led to several dozen arrests at the Westwood office of Bank of America in Lost Angeles. Demonstrators reported that undercover plainclothes officers, without warning, physically attacked specific targeted individuals with blackjacks, brass knuckles and other weapons.
![Chicago Conspiracy Trial - Part 2: Conspiracy Defendants](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
Dave Dellinger on Chicago Mayor Daley's Revenge; Government persecution and attempts to squash rebellion against the Civil Rights and Anti-Vietnam movement in reference to indictment of leaders and tactics of co-option and intimidation; The corruption of an acquittal driven defense; The Spock Trial and expressing revolutionary consciousness through political trials.
Jerry Rubin on thought crimes against the government via conspiracy of intent; eating lunch with Judge Julius Hoffman at the Standard Club.
National distribution of these tapes as through activist networks in preparation for the TDA ("The Day After") demonstration to be initiated the day following the announcement of the verdicts by Judge Julius Hoffman (February 18, 1970). Demonstrations broke out in a number of cities on February 19; a police riot led to several dozen arrests at the Westwood office of Bank of America in Lost Angeles. Demonstrators reported that undercover plainclothes officers, without warning, physically attacked specific targeted individuals with blackjacks, brass knuckles and other weapons.
![Chicago Conspiracy Trial - Part 3: Conspiracy Defendants, Continued](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
Rennie Davis on experiences on the stand and using the stand as an attempt to speak to "the other" America, as well as an account of the Chicago 1968 Republican National Convention. Lee Weiner comments on his experiences and hopes for the trial.
National distribution of these tapes as through activist networks in preparation for the TDA ("The Day After") demonstration to be initiated the day following the announcement of the verdicts by Judge Julius Hoffman (February 18, 1970). Demonstrations broke out in a number of cities on February 19; a police riot led to several dozen arrests at the Westwood office of Bank of America in Lost Angeles. Demonstrators reported that undercover plainclothes officers, without warning, physically attacked specific targeted individuals with blackjacks, brass knuckles and other weapons.
![Chicago Conspiracy Trial - Part 4: Conspiracy Defendants, Continued](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
Lee Weiner Part 2: Plans if he doesn't go to prison to work in Women's Liberation struggle. Abbie Hoffman on his very being an lifestyle on trial; Dramatization in the court room of an American symbol; The ideology behind events in Chicago; What he expects in the trial; the illegitimacy of US judicial system; Attacking the use of contempt. John Friones' opinion of the trial and hopes for further action.
National distribution of these tapes as through activist networks in preparation for the TDA ("The Day After") demonstration to be initiated the day following the announcement of the verdicts by Judge Julius Hoffman (February 18, 1970_. Demonstrations broke out in a number of cities on February 19; a police riot led to several dozen arrests at the Westwood office of Bank of America in Lost Angeles. Demonstrators reported that undercover plainclothes officers, without warning, physically attacked specific targeted individuals with blackjacks, brass knuckles and other weapons.
![Chicago Conspiracy Trial - Part 5: Conspiracy Defendants, Concluded](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
Tom Hayden on how he decided to present the defense and the arguments to show the truth about Chicago; The awareness and creation of organizers; Presenting a historical defense to bring the illumination of 60's political consciousness; Change in the attitude of police towards young white protesters from tolerance to oppression. Bill Kunstler part 1: What he thinks of outcomes; The ideology of the Jury; Where he stands as a lawyer in this trial.
National distribution of these tapes as through activist networks in preparation for the TDA ("The Day After") demonstration to be initiated the day following the announcement of the verdicts by Judge Julius Hoffman (February 18, 1970_. Demonstrations broke out in a number of cities on February 19; a police riot led to several dozen arrests at the Westwood office of Bank of America in Lost Angeles. Demonstrators reported that undercover plainclothes officers, without warning, physically attacked specific targeted individuals with blackjacks, brass knuckles and other weapons.
![Chicago Conspiracy Trial - Part 6: Defense Attorneys, Concluded](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
Bill Kunstler part 2: His personal changes during the trial; Feelings on being held in contempt of court; Thoughts on witnesses and the prosecution's approach. Len Weinglass: First case in history where crossing state lines with intent to promote a riot is held a crime; Definitions of why they are being tried and the relation to their lifestyle and a larger push for political trials; Thoughts on his own personal and professional change and the accusations of professionalism against him; Comments on his contempt citations; Predictions on outcomes of the trial in relation to how the evidence is weighed and the judges influence on jurors and proceedings.
National distribution of these tapes as through activist networks in preparation for the TDA ("The Day After") demonstration to be initiated the day following the announcement of the verdicts by Judge Julius Hoffman (February 18, 1970_. Demonstrations broke out in a number of cities on February 19; a police riot led to several dozen arrests at the Westwood office of Bank of America in Lost Angeles. Demonstrators reported that undercover plainclothes officers, without warning, physically attacked specific targeted individuals with blackjacks, brass knuckles and other weapons.
![Chicago Conspiracy Trial - Part 7: Defense Witnesses](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
James Kunan on prosecution's errors, defenses objections overruled; The prosecution's legal games; Judge's violation of judicial process. Jane Kennedy from the Medical Committee for Human Rights on the courts censorship of her testimony and her impressions of the jury. Arlo Guthrie on his impressions of the trial and testimony. Renault Robinson on Chicago Police Department's training for protests geared towards a show of force and the political climate of dissent intolerance. Lee Edmunson's narration of Chicago events and the prosecution's sustained censorship of his testimony. Don Duncan on the initial planning sessions for convention.
National distribution of these tapes as through activist networks in preparation for the TDA ("The Day After") demonstration to be initiated the day following the announcement of the verdicts by Judge Julius Hoffman (February 18, 1970_. Demonstrations broke out in a number of cities on February 19; a police riot led to several dozen arrests at the Westwood office of Bank of America in Lost Angeles. Demonstrators reported that undercover plainclothes officers, without warning, physically attacked specific targeted individuals with blackjacks, brass knuckles and other weapons.
![Chicago Conspiracy Trial - Part 8: Witnesses, Continued](images/fileicons/nodigital.png)
Norman Mailer comments on trial, it's concept and the charges of conspiracy. Wesley Pomorov speaking on his testimony. Jesse Jackson on the significance of this trial, the development of a military state, and the trial in reference to the black community. Tom Hayden and Staughton Lynd on parallels between the events in Chicago, the antiwar movement and the American revolution.
National distribution of these tapes as through activist networks in preparation for the TDA ("The Day After") demonstration to be initiated the day following the announcement of the verdicts by Judge Julius Hoffman (February 18, 1970_. Demonstrations broke out in a number of cities on February 19; a police riot led to several dozen arrests at the Westwood office of Bank of America in Lost Angeles. Demonstrators reported that undercover plainclothes officers, without warning, physically attacked specific targeted individuals with blackjacks, brass knuckles and other weapons.