Lee Weiner

Who is Lee Weiner?

Lee Weiner, a member of the Chicago Seven, was charged with conspiracy and making incendiary devices for his part in the demonstrations that surrounded the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

J. Anthony Lukas described Weiner as "a strangely remote figure who shunned most of the defendants' extracurricular activities." Weiner rarely attended defense strategy sessions, perhaps out of a belief that their cause was hopeless. He spent most of his trial hours reading science fiction paperbacks or books on eastern philosophy. Weiner reacted to few courtroom developments, viewing the proceedings with a mixture of scorn and amusement.

Weiner, who was known as the 'quiet defendant' for rarely participating in courtroom antics or outbursts during the trial, was acquitted along with co-defendant John Froines, of both charges.

At the time of trial, Weiner was a teaching assistant in sociology at Northwestern University. He served Professor Howard S. Becker as a research assistant there. He lived in a Hyde Park apartment with a girlfriend, Sharon Avery.

In the years following the trial, Weiner has continued to work and protest for causes. He has worked for the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith in New York and participated in protests for Russian Jews and more funding for AIDS research. At present he is VP of Direct Response at AmeriCares Foundation in Stamford, CT.