The Famous Acquittal of Angela Davis Took Place 40 Years Ago Today
One of the most-infamous instances in the life of former Black militant and current scholarAngela Davis (pictured) was the “Soledad Brothers” trial in 1970.
On August 7 of that year, 17-year-old Black militant Jonathan Jackson, brother of authorGeorge, burst into a California courtroom and abducted Judge Harold Haley, a prosecutor, and three female jurors, while freeing two inmates on trial for murder.
Even though the younger Jackson had hoped to exchange the hostages for his brother, unfortunately, Jonathan, two inmates, and Judge Haley were all killed in the ensuing fracas.
Angela Davis was pinned as responsible for purchasing the guns used in the hostage situation.
After going into hiding, Davis was arrested in New York in October of that year facing conspiracy and murder charges. Davis’ indictment got her placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list, and her ties with theBlack Panthers and her activism and communist stances were also called into question.
Watch the Soledad Brothers’ case here:
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I REMEMBER THAT EVENT….YES, THOSE WERE MY TEENAGE YEARS. WE WERE MILITANT, WE WERE OUT SPOKEN FOR CHANGE, AND BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY TOO. BUT NOW ITS TURNED OVER TO A SOFTER GENERATION…OH, YOUNGBLOODS YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE, NOTHING GREAT COMES EASY. SPEAK UP, SHOW YOUR POWER, AND BE HEARD. PEACE.