Protest on Trial (eBook, EPUB)

The Seattle 7 embodied late 1960s counterculture--young, idealistic, active organizers against racism and the Vietnam War, and fond of long hair, rock’n’roll, sex, drugs, and parties. In January 1970 they founded the Seattle Liberation Front (SLF). Nationally, the FBI was using tactics such as wiretapping, warrantless break-ins, and the placing of informers and provocateurs to destroy organizations like the SLF. But in Seattle, it went a step further.

After a protest at Seattle’s downtown federal building turned violent, seven SLF leaders--Michael Abeles, Jeff Dowd, Joe Kelly, Michael Lerner, Roger Lippman, Chip Marshall, and Susan Stern--faced federal conspiracy and intent to riot indictments. Their chaotic trial became a crash course in the real American judicial system. Carl Maxey and Michael Tigar led the defense team; the U.S. prosecuting attorney was Stan Pitkin. When Pitkin’s key witness faltered and the government’s case appeared doomed, the presiding judge issued a surprise ruling to end the trial and send the defendants to prison.

For this solidly researched oral history, the author conducted dozens of interviews with defendants, attorneys, FBI agents, jurors, and others. She also accessed the trial transcript, appeals briefs and depositions, media articles, books, and more.

Arrested months after a 1970 demonstration turned violent, the Seattle 7--all young, idealistic, counterculture activists--faced federal conspiracy and intent to riot indictments aimed at limiting their ability to organize and protest. When the prosecution’s case appeared to be doomed, the presiding judge issued a surprise ruling to abruptly end the dramatic trial and send the defendants to prison. This is their story.

Table of Contents

Introduction: What’s it All About?

Part 1: Dissent

Part 2: Trial

8. Let the Circus Begin
9. A Peerless Jury is Seated
10. Jail Them, Not Us
11. The Rise and Fall of an FBI Provocateur
12. Calm Before the Storm
13. Mistrial!
14. A Double Dose of Contempt

Part 3: Consequences

15. Jailed Without Bail
16. “Free,” Eventually
17. The Years After

Epilogue: The Harmony of Dissonance
Author’s Note
End Notes
Bibliography
Index