Usually when you ask somebody in college why they are there, they'll tell you it's to get an education. The truth of it is, they are there to get the degree so that they can get ahead in the rat race. Too many college radicals are two-timing punks. The only reason you should be in college is to…
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Abbie Hoffman
Abbot Howard "Abbie" Hoffman (November 30, 1936 – April 12, 1989) was an American political and social activist, anarchist, and self-proclaimed revolutionary who co-founded the Youth International Party ("Yippies"). Hoffman was arrested and tried for conspiracy and inciting to riot as a result of his role in protests that led to violent confrontations with police during the 1968 Democratic National Convention, along with Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, Lee Weiner, and Bobby Seale. The group was known collectively as the "Chicago Eight"; when Seale's prosecution was separated from the others, they became known as the Chicago Seven. While the defendants were initially convicted of intent to incite a riot, the verdicts were overturned on appeal. Hoffman continued his activism into the 1970s, and remains an icon of the anti-war movement and the counterculture era. 2Early life and education Hoffman was born November 30, 1936 in Worcester, Massachusetts, to John Hoffman and Florence Schanberg. Hoffman was raised in a middle-class household and had two younger siblings. As a child in the 1940s–50s, he was a member of what has been described as "the transitional generation between the beatniks and hippies". He described his childhood as "idyllic" and the '40s as "a great time to grow up in." On June 3, 1954, 17-year-old Hoffman was arrested for the first time, for driving without a license. During his school days, he became known as a troublemaker who started fights, played pranks, vandalized school property, and referred to teachers by their first name
Judge Julius Hoffman: What were you doing until 1960? Abbie: Nothing. I believe it's called an American education.
We carried certain ideas across state lines. Not machine guns or drugs or little girls. Ideas. When we crossed from New York to New Jersey to Pennsylvania to Ohio to Illinois, we had certain ideas. And for that, we were gassed, beaten, arrested, and put on trial.
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…
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.
That's right, we're not goin' to jail because of what we did, we're goin' to jail because of who we are!
Reporter: How much is it worth to you? What's your price? Abbie Hoffman: To call off the revolution? Reporter: What's your price? Abbie Hoffman: My life.
Give me a moment, would you, friend? I've never been on trial for my thoughts before.
This is a political trial that was already decided for us. Ignoring that reality is just weird to me.
Judge Julius Hoffman: And the record should reflect, that defendant Hoffman and I are not related. Abbie Hoffman: Father, no! Judge Julius Hoffman: Mr. Hoffman, are you familiar with contempt of court? Abbie Hoffman: It's practically a religion for me, sir.