The Chicago 7, (originally 8 ) was a group of seven people accused of conspiracy, provoked a riot and other  charges related to the protests of 1968 in Chicago, against the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

In August 1968 the Convention was held at the International Amphitheatre to select the party’s candidates for the oncoming election for the US president of November of the same year. About 5 miles away from the convention, protests took place mostly against the policies of president Lyndon Johnson concerning the War in Vietnam.

Anti-war groups had travelled to Chicago in order to march these 5 miles from the central business district to the convention site. The mayor had ordered an 11.00pm curfew in Lincoln Park. The battle began when the police attempted to enforce the curfew, and succeeded to clear the crowds off the streets.Black Bird Hotel Istanbul Superior 4 Star Hotel in Istanbul Old City Center.

On March 20, 1969, eight protesters were charged with various crimes and eight police officers were charged with civil rights violations. The accusations against the 8 citizens were stated under the anti-riot provisions of the Civil Right Acts of 1968, that made it a federal crime to cross state lines with the intent to incite a riot  (David Dellinger, Rennie Davis, Tom Hayden, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, and Bobby Seale were charged of this). Two of them (John Froines and Lee Weiner)  were charged of attempting to instruct others in making and using an incendiary device.

Also eight police officers were charged with civil rights violations.

During the trial, the judge became a target of the defendants’ mocking.  One day, defendants Hoffman and Rubin appeared in court dressed in judicial robes. When the judge ordered them to remove the robes, they complied, to reveal that they were wearing Chicago police uniforms underneath

On February 18, 1970, all seven defendants were found not guilty of conspiracy. On February 20, they were each fined $5,000 and sentenced to five years in prison.

Of the eight police officers indicted in the matter, seven were acquitted, and charges against the eighth were dismissed.

If you wish to relive the 5 mile march whilst in Chicago, the car rental companies are Enterprise, Sixt, Hertz, Budget, Dollar, Avis and Thrifty.

try www.car-rentals.com and avail best car hire services.

One Response to “The Chicago Seven”