It was violent clashes between anti-war protesters and police during the Chicago Democratic Convention of 1968 that created the Chicago Seven's place in political and cultural history. The seven political radicals were indicted for the so-called "Rap Brown" law, which made it illegal to cross state lines and make speeches with the intent to "incite, organize, promote, and encourage" riots, conspiracy, and the like. There were originally eight defendants: David Dellinger, a pacifist and chairman of the National Mobilization against the Vietnam War; Tom Hayden and Rennie Davis, leaders of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS); Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin, leaders of the Youth International Party—or "Yippies;" John Froines and Lee Weiner, protest organizers; and Bobby Seale, co-founder of the Black Panther Party. The riots and subsequent trial triggered more massive and violent anti-war demonstrations around the country. The conflict in Chicago...