Watch The Camden 28

The Camden 28 is a documentary film released in 2007. It depicts the story of 28 anti-Vietnam War activists, who in 1971 raided a draft board office in Camden, New Jersey, and destroyed its files to protest against the war. The film explores the events leading up to the raid, the organizing efforts of the activists, and the trial that followed.

The film starts by providing some historical context of the Vietnam War and the anti-war movement in the late 60s and early 70s. It shows how the war was increasingly unpopular among the American public, leading to protests and acts of civil disobedience across the country. The Camden 28 raid was one such act of defiance, but it went beyond just a symbolic gesture.

The film then introduces us to the 28 defendants, who are now in their 60s and 70s. Through interviews with them, their families, and their lawyers, we get to know their personal stories and motivations for taking part in the raid. Some of them were activists in the civil rights movement, and they saw the war as a continuation of the racist policies of the US government. Others were motivated by their religious beliefs, seeing the war as contrary to the principles of compassion and non-violence.

The film also provides a detailed account of how the raid was planned and executed. The activists divided themselves into teams, with each team responsible for a specific task, such as breaking into the building or destroying the records. They practiced drills and even conducted an unsuccessful test run. The raid itself was mostly successful, with most of the records destroyed and only minor damage to the building.

However, the FBI had infiltrated the group and had gathered enough evidence to arrest and charge the 28 defendants with conspiracy and destruction of government property. The film shows how the trial became a major event in the anti-war movement, with prominent activists and intellectuals testifying in support of the defendants. It also shows the tactics used by the government to portray the defendants as criminals and traitors, including the use of a fake witness and selective editing of wiretap recordings.

Throughout the film, there are also archival footage and photographs from the era, which give a sense of the social and political climate of the time. The film also features a soundtrack of protest songs from the era, which adds to the emotional impact of the story.

The film ends by showing the aftermath of the raid and the trial. While the defendants were initially found guilty and faced prison time, their convictions were overturned on appeal due to the government's misconduct in the case. The film also shows the impact that the raid had on the defendants and their families, as well as the legacy of the anti-war movement in the US.

Overall, The Camden 28 is a gripping and informative documentary about a little-known event in the history of the anti-war movement. It provides a nuanced and detailed account of the raid and its aftermath, as well as the personal stories of the people involved. It is a powerful reminder of the power of non-violent resistance and the importance of standing up for one's beliefs, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.

The Camden 28 is a 2006 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 73.