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Six of the Chicago 7 defendants appear in 1970. Abbie Hoffman, from left, John Froines, Lee Weiner, Jerry Rubin, Rennie Davis and Tom Hayden were acquitted of conspiracy, but five were convicted of other charges. The guilty verdicts were later overturned.
William Yates / Chicago Tribune
Six of the Chicago 7 defendants appear in 1970. Abbie Hoffman, from left, John Froines, Lee Weiner, Jerry Rubin, Rennie Davis and Tom Hayden were acquitted of conspiracy, but five were convicted of other charges. The guilty verdicts were later overturned.

The Chicago 7 and the Days of Rage

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By | For Chicago Magazine
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Six of the Chicago 7 defendants appear in 1970. Abbie Hoffman, from left, John Froines, Lee Weiner, Jerry Rubin, Rennie Davis and Tom Hayden were acquitted of conspiracy, but five were convicted of other charges. The guilty verdicts were later overturned.
Six of the Chicago 7 defendants appear in 1970. Abbie Hoffman, from left, John Froines, Lee Weiner, Jerry Rubin, Rennie Davis and Tom Hayden were acquitted of conspiracy, but five were convicted of other charges. The guilty verdicts were later overturned.
A protester is carried to a police vehicle by officers in the 1200 block of Lake Shore Drive during a protest of the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial in Chicago on Oct. 9, 1969.
A protester is carried to a police vehicle by officers in the 1200 block of Lake Shore Drive during a protest of the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial in Chicago on Oct. 9, 1969.
Protesters take to the street in downtown Chicago during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial on Oct. 11, 1969. The march and protest included the Students for a Democratic Society.
Protesters take to the street in downtown Chicago during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial on Oct. 11, 1969. The march and protest included the Students for a Democratic Society.
Police restrain a demonstrator during a Loop clash on Oct. 11, 1969, in Chicago. Mobs of people protested the Chicago 7 trial and the Vietnam War in downtown Chicago and scores were injured, including police.
Police restrain a demonstrator during a Loop clash on Oct. 11, 1969, in Chicago. Mobs of people protested the Chicago 7 trial and the Vietnam War in downtown Chicago and scores were injured, including police.
Chicago 7 defendant Abbie Hoffman speaks to a crowd gathered at a rally in Grant Park on Sept. 24, 1969, in Chicago.
Chicago 7 defendant Abbie Hoffman speaks to a crowd gathered at a rally in Grant Park on Sept. 24, 1969, in Chicago.
Chicago 7 defendants Lee Weiner, left, and Abbie Hoffman get their hair cut during a political stunt outside the Federal Building on Sept. 26, 1969, in Chicago.
Chicago 7 defendants Lee Weiner, left, and Abbie Hoffman get their hair cut during a political stunt outside the Federal Building on Sept. 26, 1969, in Chicago.
Police arrest a suspect in the attack of Richard Elrod, assistant city corporation counsel, on Oct. 11, 1969, during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial and protest in Chicago. For several days in October, protesters responded to the trial and the war in Vietnam with “Days of Rage” demonstrations.
Abbie Hoffman, center, speaks outside the federal building during a news conference April 9, 1969, in Chicago. Hoffman and the other Chicago 7 defendants were in town for their arraignment before Judge Julius Hoffman.
Abbie Hoffman, center, speaks outside the federal building during a news conference April 9, 1969, in Chicago. Hoffman and the other Chicago 7 defendants were in town for their arraignment before Judge Julius Hoffman.
Defendants Abbie Hoffman, Rennie Davis and Jerry Rubin at a news conference Oct. 23, 1969, during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial at the federal building in Chicago.
Defendants Abbie Hoffman, Rennie Davis and Jerry Rubin at a news conference Oct. 23, 1969, during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial at the federal building in Chicago.
Lee Weiner speaks with a megaphone at a demonstration in Grant Park on April 17, 1970.
Lee Weiner speaks with a megaphone at a demonstration in Grant Park on April 17, 1970.
Chicago police pick up a officer after he was felled in a hustle with a black youth, right, who hid in a restaurant and then was ousted by the owners during a Chicago 7 conspiracy trial protest on Oct. 11, 1969.
Chicago police pick up a officer after he was felled in a hustle with a black youth, right, who hid in a restaurant and then was ousted by the owners during a Chicago 7 conspiracy trial protest on Oct. 11, 1969.
Chicago 7 defendant Abbie Hoffman at the federal building in Chicago during his trial Oct. 2, 1969.
Chicago 7 defendant Abbie Hoffman at the federal building in Chicago during his trial Oct. 2, 1969.
Abbie Hoffman, Rennie Davis and Jerry Rubin, seated at table left to right, speak during a news conference Oct. 23, 1969, about the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial at the federal building.
Abbie Hoffman, Rennie Davis and Jerry Rubin, seated at table left to right, speak during a news conference Oct. 23, 1969, about the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial at the federal building.
Abbie Hoffman has his hair cut outside the federal building in Chicago to send to fellow defendant Jerry Rubin at a publicity stunt during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial on Sept. 26, 1969.
Abbie Hoffman has his hair cut outside the federal building in Chicago to send to fellow defendant Jerry Rubin at a publicity stunt during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial on Sept. 26, 1969.
Activists hold a vigil at the Federal Building after they marched by candlelight from Lincoln Park for the start of the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial on Sept. 23, 1969, in Chicago.
Activists hold a vigil at the Federal Building after they marched by candlelight from Lincoln Park for the start of the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial on Sept. 23, 1969, in Chicago.
Youth protesting the Chicago 7 trial are arrested at Eugenie and Wells streets near Lincoln Park on Oct. 8, 1969, in Chicago.
Youth protesting the Chicago 7 trial are arrested at Eugenie and Wells streets near Lincoln Park on Oct. 8, 1969, in Chicago.
A policeman struggles with a helmeted woman in an attempt to arrest her during a clash at Balbo Drive and Michigan Avenue in Grant Park on Oct. 9, 1969, during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial in Chicago.
A policeman struggles with a helmeted woman in an attempt to arrest her during a clash at Balbo Drive and Michigan Avenue in Grant Park on Oct. 9, 1969, during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial in Chicago.
Police wrestle with a “girl revolutionary” in an attempt to disarm her on Oct. 9, 1969, during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial. A plainclothes police officer is holding clubs taken from other marchers in the clash at Michigan Avenue and Balbo Drive.
With some of their leaders under arrest, activists leave the battle area carrying their helmets and without their weapons on Oct. 9, 1969, at Michigan Avenue and Balbo Drive in Chicago.
With some of their leaders under arrest, activists leave the battle area carrying their helmets and without their weapons on Oct. 9, 1969, at Michigan Avenue and Balbo Drive in Chicago.
Lee Weiner, right, walks with his attorney in the Federal Building on March 21, 1969, in Chicago. Weiner was indicted on criminal charges related to disturbances at the Democratic National Convention.
Lee Weiner, right, walks with his attorney in the Federal Building on March 21, 1969, in Chicago. Weiner was indicted on criminal charges related to disturbances at the Democratic National Convention.
Atty. William Kunstler, left, and Abbie Hoffman hold a press conference during the Chicago 7 trial on Sept. 15, 1969, in Chicago.
Atty. William Kunstler, left, and Abbie Hoffman hold a press conference during the Chicago 7 trial on Sept. 15, 1969, in Chicago.
A Nazi sympathizer marches at 8th Street and Michigan Avenue on Oct. 11, 1969, during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial in Chicago.
A Nazi sympathizer marches at 8th Street and Michigan Avenue on Oct. 11, 1969, during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial in Chicago.
Abbie Hoffman, center seated, entertains his friends who came to see him off for his 75 days in jail on Dec. 3, 1970, at the Civic Center in Chicago.
Abbie Hoffman, center seated, entertains his friends who came to see him off for his 75 days in jail on Dec. 3, 1970, at the Civic Center in Chicago.
Lee Weiner, right, arrives to the Federal Building for the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial on Feb. 15, 1970, in Chicago.
Lee Weiner, right, arrives to the Federal Building for the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial on Feb. 15, 1970, in Chicago.
Chicago police block the door of Cook County Jail as demonstrators marched around the Criminal Courts Building on Feb. 21, 1970, in Chicago.
Chicago police block the door of Cook County Jail as demonstrators marched around the Criminal Courts Building on Feb. 21, 1970, in Chicago.
As the Chicago 7 trial nears its end, marchers walk the picket line outside the federal building in downtown Chicago on Feb. 15, 1970.
As the Chicago 7 trial nears its end, marchers walk the picket line outside the federal building in downtown Chicago on Feb. 15, 1970.
Defendant Abbie Hoffman, center in group, walks with friends during a lunch break outside the federal building in Chicago on Feb. 14, 1970.
Defendant Abbie Hoffman, center in group, walks with friends during a lunch break outside the federal building in Chicago on Feb. 14, 1970.
Abbie Hoffman stands on his hands outside the Federal Building during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial on Feb. 11, 1970, in Chicago.
Abbie Hoffman stands on his hands outside the Federal Building during the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial on Feb. 11, 1970, in Chicago.
Chicago police keep marchers in line along Jackson Boulevard between Wabash and Michigan avenues on Feb. 21, 1970, as they protest the outcome of the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial in Chicago. They marched from the Federal Building to Soldier Field. Police kept them on the sidewalk.
Chicago police keep marchers in line along Jackson Boulevard between Wabash and Michigan avenues on Feb. 21, 1970, as they protest the outcome of the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial in Chicago. They marched from the Federal Building to Soldier Field. Police kept them on the sidewalk.
Workers board up the windows of the Criminal Courts Building at 26th Street and California Avenue in anticipation of trouble when protesters may march to the building in response to the Chicago 7 trial outcome, Feb. 20, 1970.
Workers board up the windows of the Criminal Courts Building at 26th Street and California Avenue in anticipation of trouble when protesters may march to the building in response to the Chicago 7 trial outcome, Feb. 20, 1970.
A police line forms in front of the Criminal Courts Building at 26th Street and California Avenue in Chicago as protesters demonstrate their disapproval of the outcome of the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial on Feb. 21, 1970.
A police line forms in front of the Criminal Courts Building at 26th Street and California Avenue in Chicago as protesters demonstrate their disapproval of the outcome of the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial on Feb. 21, 1970.
Abbie Hoffman, left, and Jerry Rubin, right, show off their judges robes at the Federal Building on Feb. 6, 1970, in Chicago during the Chicago 7 trial.
Abbie Hoffman, left, and Jerry Rubin, right, show off their judges robes at the Federal Building on Feb. 6, 1970, in Chicago during the Chicago 7 trial.
The conspiracy trial ends and the jury leaves the Federal Building by bus as jeering crowds pelt it with paper, confetti, and small rocks on Feb. 18, 1970, in Chicago. The crowd was angry at the jury's decision finding five of the seven defendants guilty of crossing state lines to incite riots.
The conspiracy trial ends and the jury leaves the Federal Building by bus as jeering crowds pelt it with paper, confetti, and small rocks on Feb. 18, 1970, in Chicago. The crowd was angry at the jury’s decision finding five of the seven defendants guilty of crossing state lines to incite riots.
Three defendants, Abbie Hofffman, from left, Rennie Davis and Jerry Rubin (all on the right) speak at a news conference at the Federal Building about the Chicago 7 trial on Feb. 14, 1970. The three told the press of the unfair treatment they are receiving from Judge Hoffman.
Three defendants, Abbie Hofffman, from left, Rennie Davis and Jerry Rubin (all on the right) speak at a news conference at the Federal Building about the Chicago 7 trial on Feb. 14, 1970. The three told the press of the unfair treatment they are receiving from Judge Hoffman.
Protest musician Phil Ochs sings to a crowd of demonstrators outside the Federal Building on Feb. 21, 1970. People were protesting the decision in the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial.
Protest musician Phil Ochs sings to a crowd of demonstrators outside the Federal Building on Feb. 21, 1970. People were protesting the decision in the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial.
Abbie Hoffman, center, is greeted by his wife outside the federal building in Chicago on Feb. 28, 1970. The Chicago 7 were free on bond.
Abbie Hoffman, center, is greeted by his wife outside the federal building in Chicago on Feb. 28, 1970. The Chicago 7 were free on bond.
Seven defendants in the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial hold a news conference at Christ the King Church after their release from jail on Feb. 28, 1970. From left are Lee Weiner, Rennie Davis, David Dellinger (who holds his granddaughter Michelle Burd), Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden and John Froines.
Seven defendants in the Chicago 7 conspiracy trial hold a news conference at Christ the King Church after their release from jail on Feb. 28, 1970. From left are Lee Weiner, Rennie Davis, David Dellinger (who holds his granddaughter Michelle Burd), Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden and John Froines.

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