BY: Amanda Jane Stern

The Vietnam War was a boiling point in American politics. Young adults across the country rose in revolt against what they saw as an unjust war, perpetrated by a corrupt government. Protests, sit-ins and other anti-war activity took place all over the USA, often organized by university students and other young adults. The National Student Strike Information Center, which disseminated information about planned anti-war protests, was headquartered in Pearlman Hall at Brandeis University.

At the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, anti-war groups staged protests, demonstrations, rallies and marches against President Lyndon B. Johnson’s policies in favor of the war. What were supposed to be peaceful demonstrations came to a head when police violently clashed with protesters. Police used tear gas, mace, and batons to beat protesters back and the protesters responded by hurling bottles and rocks at the cops. In addition to the numerous protesters and police who were injured, journalists covering the action also found themselves the target of law enforcement, with many having their cameras snatched and broken. This altercation would later come to be labeled a police riot by the U.S. National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence.

The police made a spate of arrests during these protests. The most high profile of these arrests was of a group of men who came to be known as the Chicago Seven (although they were initially the Chicago Eight). A grand jury was convened to determine whether criminal charges of conspiracy to incite violence and inciting riots should be brought against the defendants. Interestingly enough, President Johnson’s Attorney General, Ramsey Clark argued that charges should not be levied against the defendants as he saw the violence as the result of police mishandling the situation. When Richard Nixon took office, however, the grand jury voted to indict.

The initial eight defendants were Brandeis University graduates Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman, activists Tom Hayden, David Dellinger, Rennie Davis, Lee Weiner, chemist John Froines, and Black Panther co-founder Bobby Seale. The Chicago Eight became the Chicago Seven when, at the beginning of the trial, Bobby Seale caused a disruption when he was informed he could not have the lawyer of his choice. He was bound and gagged and removed from the case to have his own trial, which never took place.

Master of political T.V. shows and fast-paced dialogue, Aaron Sorkin, has adapted the story of the Chicago Seven into a new movie: The Trial of the Chicago 7, which will be released on Netflix on October 16, 2020. Of course, what Sorkin project is complete without a stellar ensemble cast? Let’s take a look at some of the cast now.

Eddie Redmayne 

Who he’s playing: Chicago Seven member Tom Hayden

Where you know him from: His Oscar-winning performance in The Theory of Everything, and his Oscar-nominated performance in The Danish Girl. He also stars as Newt Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them series.

Alex Sharp 

Who he’s playing: Chicago Seven member Rennie Davis

Where you know him from: His roles in To The Bone and How to Talk to Girls at Parties. Aso, his Tony-winning performance in the Broadway play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Sacha Baron Cohen

Who he’s playing: Chicago Seven member Abbie Hoffman

Where you know him from: His outlandish comedy mockumentaries Borat and Brüno, which he wrote and produced as well as starred in. Also for his performance as M. Thénardier in the film adaptation of Les Misérables.

Jeremy Strong

Who he’s playing: Chicago Seven member Jerry Rubin

Where you know him from: Playing Kendall Roy on the HBO series Succession. You will also recognize him from his supporting roles in The Big Short (which was nominated for the SAG award for outstanding cast), Selma, and Molly’s Game.

John Carroll Lynch

Who he’s playing: Chicago Seven member David Dellinger

Where you know him from: Playing Norm Gunderson in Fargo, the movie not the series. You may also recognize him as Twisty the Clown from American Horror Story: Freak Show and American Horror Story: Cult.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II 

Who he’s playing: Black Panther co-founder Bobby Seale

Where you know him from: His starring role on the short-lived Netflix series The Get Down, as well as his roles in Aquaman, and  the HBO series Watchmen. You may also recognize him from Jordan Peele’s Us.

Mark Rylance 

Who he’s playing: Defense attorney William Kunstler

Where you know him from: His Oscar and BAFTA-winning performance in Bridge of Spies. His Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated performance in the tv series Wolf Hall. His multiple Tony-winning performances on Broadway.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt 

Who he’s playing: Prosecutor Richard Schultz

Where you know him from: His teen years starring in the tv show 3rd Rock From the Sun and the movie 10 Things I Hate About You. And his Golden Globe nominated performance in 500 Days of Summer.