Adaptation of "The trial of the Chicago 7", a film based on Chicago Seven, a group of anti-Vietnam war protestors comprising of Abbie Hoffman, Tom Hayden, David Dellinger, Jerry Rubin, and Rennie Davis, which was charged for crossing state lines with the intention of protesting against the Vietnam war during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Final scene, contains spoilers.
A full courtroom with jurors seat empty. Door opens, enters the defendants.
Another door opens. "All rise", commands the bailiff.
Everyone rises. Enters judge Julius Hoffman.
"69 CR 180, United States of America v. David Dellinger et. al.", said the bailiff.
Everyone takes their seat.
"The law requires that before sentencing, I allow the defendant or defendants to make a statement to the court. I've advised defense counsel that the court will allow one defendant to speak for the group, and I've been advised the group has chosen Mr. Hayden.", said judge Hoffman, "Is that right."
"Yes, sir", replied Tom Hayden while rising up.
"Mr. Hayden, in spite of your actions during the convention, you are the one defendant who has shown, during this trial, respect for this court and for this country, and remorse for those actions. I truly believe... And I mean this, I truly believe that one day you will be a very productive part of our system. I will like you to make your statement brief and without political content of any kind. If you make your statement brief, if you make it respectful, if you make it remorseful and to the point, I will look favorably upon that when administering my sentence", judge Hoffman said.
Jerry Rubin shakes his head in disgust.
"Do you understand what I've said?" continued judge Hoffman, "Mr. Hayden?"
"Yes, sir", Tom replied, "You will look favorably in sentencing."
"Yes," judge Hoffman said.
"If I make my statement respectful and remorseful."
"Yes."
"I'm sorry, Your Honor, what was the third one?"
"Brief."
"If I do these things, my government will look favorably on me."
"You understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Please begin."
"Okay," Tom continued calmly, "Your Honor, since this trial began, 4,752 US troops have been killed in Vietnam."
The defendants nod their heads.
"Your honor, you asked me to be respectful. With all due respect to them, those 4,752 US troops were not killed, but murdered. Murdered by the US government who sent them to Vietnam to murder Vietnamese men, women, and children."
"Mr. Hayden, please be advised that you are asked to refrain yourself from making your statement political."
"Your honor, you said that if I do what you have asked then my government will look favorably on me."
"Yes, it can still consider that."
"Your honor, when the government didn't look favorably on those 4,752 murdered US troops, every single one of whom stood proudly in support of the government, who were sent by it to Vietnam on a death march in order to further the American imperialism, how can I expect it to look favorably on me who so ardently stand against its oppressive regime?"
"Mr. Hayden, sit down. You shall not continue", said judge Hoffman while banging his gavel.
"Your honor, you asked me to be remorseful. I am sorry that when we marched to Chicago we failed to stop the Vietnam war. I am sorry that we failed to call off the murder of those 4,752 US troops. Your honor, you said that I was the only defendant who showed respect for this court. When I stood for you after what you did to Bobby Seale, who was falsely accused of murdering a police officer, that was a mistake. It was just a reflex, and I didn't mean it. You said that one day I will be very productive part of this system. I will like to make my intentions crystal clear, I have no intention whatsoever to be a part of the system which goes to places and spread death. You asked me to make my statement brief. Your honor, no matter how much I try, I cannot make my statement briefer than the lives of those 4,752 US troops that were made brief by our government. And the following... are their names."
Tom takes a notebook from Rennie Davis and started reading names.
"Private First Class Dennis Walter Kipp," Tom continued, "18 years brief."
Defendants stands up in respect.
"Private Eric Alan Bosch," Tom continued, "21 years brief".
Judge Hoffman bangs garvel.
"Lance Corporal Robert Earl Ellis," Tom continued, "19 years brief."
Jerry Rubin did a raised fist salute.
"You will not read 5,000 names for the record," shouted judge Hoffman.
"Robert Ford," continued Tom, "21 years brief."
Defense counsel stands up.
"There will be order," shouted judge Hoffman.
"Staff sergeant David Cruz Chavez," Tom continued, "31 years brief."
Spectators rises. Members of Black Panther Party did a raised fist salute. Spectators started applauding.
"There will be order," shouted judge Hoffman while banging gravel.
"Corporal Philip Lawrence," Tom continued, "20 years brief."
"He will not read 4,500 names," shouted judge Hoffman.
"Sergeant Brian John Morrow," Tom continued, "19 years brief."
Nationalists starts leaving the courtroom.
Junior prosecuting counsel Richard Schultz stands up.
"What are you doing?" demanded senior prosecuting counsel Tom Foran.
"Respect for the fallen. Let's show 'em some respect, sir," replied Richard.
Tom Foran stands up and leaves the courtroom.
~Caritas, Lux, et Veritas,
The Unknown Poet
