The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) quotes

View Quote Abbie Hoffman: In 1861, Lincoln said in his inaugural address: 'When the people shall grow weary of their constitutional right to amend their government, they shall exert their revolutionary right to dismember and overthrow that government.' And if Lincoln had given that speech in Lincoln Park last summer, he'd be put on trial with the rest of us.
William Kunstler: So, how do you overthrow or dismember, as you say, your government peacefully?
Abbie Hoffman: In this country, we do it every four years.

View Quote Abbie Hoffman: This is a political trial—that was already decided for us. Ignoring that reality is just weird to me.
William Kunstler: There are civil trials, and there are criminal trials. There's no such thing as a political trial.
Abbie Hoffman: [scoffs] Okay...

View Quote Abbie Hoffman: Winning elections, that's the first thing on your wish list? Equality, justice, education, poverty and progress, they're second?
Tom Hayden: If you don't win elections, it doesn't matter what's second. And it is astonishing to me that someone still has to explain that to you.

View Quote Bernadine: [answering the phone] Conspiracy Office, how can I help you? [pause] No sir, I am a white woman. [pause] Yeah, I've slept with several in my life so far, and on balance, I'd have to say yes, it is better, and to tell you the truth, I think that's a big part of what's got you worked up.
Leonard Weinglass: Hang up the phone.
Bernadine: It's not even so much that it's bigger, it's just better, you know what I mean?
Leonard Weinglass: Hang up the phone.
[she does]
Leonard Weinglass: Was that a parting gift for Bobby?
Bernadine: No. That was just for me.

View Quote Bobby Seale: [after being informed of Fred Hampton's murder] You've all got the same father, right? 'Cut your hair, don't be a ****, respect authority, respect America - respect me.' Your life, it's a '****-you' to your father, right? A little?
Tom Hayden: Maybe.
Bobby Seale: Maybe. And you can see how that's different from a rope on a tree?
Tom Hayden: [quietly] Yeah.
Bobby Seale: Yeah. He was shot in the shoulder first. You can't aim a gun if you've been shot in the shoulder, you can't squeeze the trigger. Second shot was in his head. Fred was executed. Anything else?
William Kunstler: No.
[Bobby leaves the room without another word]

View Quote Judge Julius Hoffman: And the record should reflect, that defendant Hoffman and I are not related.
Abbie Hoffman: [sarcastic] Father, no!
Judge Julius Hoffman: [bangs his gavel] Mr. Hoffman, are you familiar with contempt of court?
Abbie Hoffman: It's practically a religion for me, sir.

View Quote Ramsey Clark: I'm in private practice now, and if John Mitchell wants to cut me in half, he can and he will.
Tom Hayden: You have to find some... Sir, you have to find some courage now.
Ramsey Clark: Find some courage? Yeah.
Tom Hayden: Yes. You have to find some courage, and...
Leonard Weinglass: [silencing him] Tom.
Ramsey Clark: [points at Kelly and Ackerman] That's what those two men came to tell me, that if John Mitchell wants to cut me in half, he can and he will. So I wanted them in the room when I said 'When do you want me in court?'
Howard Ackerman: [standing in surprise] Mr. Clark?
William Kunstler: I'm sorry?
Ramsey Clark: Swear me in, Bill.
Howard Ackerman: It is against the law for you to testify, Ramsey. It is as simple as that.
Ramsey Clark: It's General Clark. And arrest me or shut the **** up. [turns to Hayden] Found some.

View Quote Rennie Davis: ...you don't send a woman to... to ensorcel me!
Abbie Hoffman: What?
Rennie Davis: It means “to enchant”.
Abbie Hoffman: Oh.
Rennie Davis: ...only to have her crush my soul!
Richard Schultz: How long did you two know each other?
Rennie Davis: Ninety-three hours. Could have been a lifetime.
Richard Schultz: For a fruit fly; enjoy your weekend. (begins to walk away)
Rennie Davis: Is... is that even ethical? Aren't there ethics rules?
Richard Schultz: Did she engage with you sexually?
Rennie Davis: We were taking it slow.

View Quote Reporter Jack: How much is it worth to you? What's your price?
Abbie Hoffman: To call off the revolution?
Reporter Jack: What's your price?
Abbie Hoffman: My life.

View Quote Richard Schultz: Do you have contempt for your government?
Abbie Hoffman: I think the institutions of our democracy are wonderful things, that right now are populated by some terrible people.
Richard Schultz: Please answer the question.
Abbie Hoffman: Tell me again?
Richard Schultz: Do you have contempt for your government?
Abbie Hoffman: I'll tell you, Mr. Schultz, it's nothing compared to the contempt my government has for me.

View Quote Richard Schultz: When you came to Chicago, were you hoping for a confrontation with the police? [pause] I'm concerned you have to think about it.
Abbie Hoffman: Give me a moment, would you, friend? I've never been on trial for my thoughts before.

View Quote Sondra: You can't give this speech in Chicago!
Bobby Seale: Fred Hampton wants me there. Plane ticket.
Sondra: Let Fred give the speech!
Bobby Seale: Between Hayden and Hoffman there could be 5,000 people. It'd be nice to talk to 5,000 people.
Sondra: Not while you're in trouble in Connecticut.
Bobby Seale: Yes, well I'm in trouble - I'm the head of the Black Panthers, Sondra! When the hell am I not gonna be in trouble? Travel bag.
Sondra: You're going to be in a lot more of it if you stand up and say 'Fry the pigs!'
Bobby Seale: IF they attack me. You're taking it out of context.
Sondra: So will every white person in America! Cops won't give a shit about context, and you don't have enough protection in Chicago.
Bobby Seale: There's no place to be right now but in it.
Sondra: But 'Fry the pigs'?
Bobby Seale: IF they attack...
Sondra: Dr. King...
Bobby Seale: Is dead! He has a dream? Well now he has a **** bullet in his head! Martin's dead, Malcom's dead, Medgar's dead, Bobby's dead, Jesus is dead. They tried it peacefully, we're gonna try something else.

View Quote Tom Hayden: Are we using the trial to defend ourselves against very serious charges that could land us in prison for ten years, or to say a pointless "**** you" to the establishment?
Jerry Rubin: **** you!
Tom Hayden: That is what I was afraid... Wait, I don't know if you were saying "**** you" or answering.
Abbie Hoffman: ...I was also confused.

View Quote Tom Hayden: Our. Our. Our blood. If our blood is going to flow...
Abbie Hoffman: You meant to say, 'If our blood is gonna flow, then let it flow all over the city.' You didn’t mean the cops! You were saying, 'If they’re gonna beat us up, everyone should see it.'

View Quote Tom Hayden: What is that?
Rennie Davis: I've been keeping a list every day. Americans who've been killed since the day we were arrested.
Tom Hayden: Why?
Rennie Davis: With the trial starting, it might get easy to forget who this is about.