In February 1970, members of the Chicago Seven were sentenced on contempt charges stemming from riots at the 1968 Democratic Convention. Demonstrations took place in numerous cities. The Seattle Liberation Front (SLF) called for protests in downtown Seattle. On February 17, over 2000 demonstrators carried on running battles with the police, breaking windows in the U.S. Courthouse and downtown businesses.

Seventy-five people were arrested; eight were indicted for conspiracy to cause damage to federal property. The highly politicized trial of seven of these, who became known as the Seattle Seven, resulted in a mistrial. While they served time for contempt of court, the conviction was later thrown out. During the legal proceedings, it became clear that the violence had been precipitated by FBI agents who had infiltrated the SLF.

Here, Seattle police detain protester Judy Acheson of Ellensburg, Washington.

Caption information source: "Seattle Liberation Front," by Walt Crowley, HistoryLink.org Essay 2131
Caption information source: http://www.seattlestar.net/2014/11/the-seattle-seven
Caption information source: The Seattle Times, February 18, 1970, page 1