Important 1969 END WITCH HUNTS ~ FREE CHICAGO 8 Protest Used Sign

Once in a while there comes along a piece that excites the brain and you go for it aggressively which I certainly did for this artifact of the turbulent 60s. A unique 1969 END WITCH HUNTS ~ FREE CHICAGO 8 Protest Used Sign. Seems to reflect America even in 2018. The Witch hand drawn graphic is priceless. The anti-War bumper sticker attached to the top gives it a different character. AND it is Chicago 8 - not the later and better remembered Chicago 7. I acquired it from the family which used it. Lloyd told me "<his> uncle had this and gave it to my dad in 74 when he died, my uncle was the black sheep in the family lol. We have no idea where he got it my dad passed 4 years ago and hung on to it. When I was a kid was never interested in it hope you enjoy it its a part of history..."

This piece oozes history and was framed within 30 minutes of it's arrival just yesterday. Such a fitting choice for post number 375 don't you think?

The history from History.com Editors:

Chicago 8 trial opens in Chicago (1969)

The trial for eight antiwar activists charged with the responsibility for the violent demonstrations at the August 1968 Democratic National Convention opens in Chicago. The defendants included David Dellinger of the National Mobilization Committee (NMC); Rennie Davis and Thomas Hayden of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS); Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin, founders of the Youth International Party (“Yippies”); Bobby Seale of the Black Panthers; and two lesser known activists, Lee Weiner and John Froines.

The group was charged with conspiracy to cross state lines with intent to incite a riot. All but Seale were represented by attorneys William Kunstler and Leonard Weinglass. The trial, presided over by Judge Julius Hoffman, turned into a circus as the defendants and their attorneys used the court as a platform to attack Nixon, the war, racisim, and oppression. Their tactics were so disruptive that at one point, Judge Hoffman ordered Seale gagged and strapped to his chair. When the trial ended in February 1970, Hoffman found the defendants and their attorneys guilty of 175 counts of contempt of court and sentenced them to terms between two to four years. Although declaring the defendants not guilty of conspiracy, the jury found all but Froines and Weiner guilty of intent to riot. The others were each sentenced to five years and fined $5,000. However, none served time because in 1972, a Court of Appeal overturned the criminal convictions and eventually most of the contempt charges were dropped as well."