Protest on Trial - by Kit Bakke (Paperback)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"Protest on Trial chronicles a significant, real-life slice of history, but it reads more like a well-crafted novel--a compelling narrative that feels completely contemporary, and reminds us that dissent--now no less than then--is the essence of democracy.

--Bill Ayers, author of Fugitive Days, Public Enemy, and Demand the Impossible!

"[Bakke] serves up this slice of history with delicious let-me-tell-you-a-story gusto."

--Seattle Times

"A compelling book about a compelling chapter in Seattle's political history."

--Seattle Star

"A delightful portrait of Seattle's radical history and the characters involved."

--Crosscut

"Using impressive interviews as well as the revealing trial transcript, this excellent narrative of the Seattle 7 conspiracy trial makes contributions to the history of the Northwest, Seattle, radicalism, and activism. The book performs a valuable service in preserving both the memories and contemporary evidence about the long overlooked 1970 trial."

--William Rorabaugh, University of Washington Professor of History, author of American Hippies