Chicago 10 (2007)

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." Thomas Jefferson

It never ceases to amaze me to what length governments will go to squash/deride/intimidate anyone who might openly dissent. The spin is both cunning and horrific. To think that our government--any administration--go and would go to any lengths is indeed frightening.

Chicago 10 is a documentary examining the trial of eight anti-war rabble-rousers after the demonstrations during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago that resulted in violence and mayhem. While there is no actual footage of the trial of the U.S. Government versus Abbie Hoffman, Thomas Foran, Bobby Seale, David Dellinger, Leonard Weinglass, William Kunstler, Rennie Davis, and Jerry Rubin.

The film is bold, engaging, and downright mind-boggling at times, especially when viewed through today's perspective. The combination of archival footage, animation, court transcripts and the modern day soundtrack creates quite a show.

Chicago 10 is an insightful reflection on a very real different time and place.

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent." - Thomas Jefferson