On this day, 3 November 1970, this legendary mugshot of actress and anti-war activist Jane Fonda was taken in Cleveland for allegedly kicking a police officer.
On this day, 3 November 1970, this legendary mugshot of actress and anti-war activist Jane Fonda was taken in Cleveland for allegedly kicking a police officer.
The previous day, Fonda was returning from a speaking engagement in Canada organised by Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW), when customs officers at Cleveland airport discovered a number of pills in her luggage.
Despite Fonda explaining that they were vitamins, customs agents arrested her on suspicion of drug smuggling, and Fonda says that the agents stated "they were getting orders from the White House". She was taken to Cleveland jail, booked and photographed. The following day she was booked again for allegedly assaulting an officer, and these photographs were taken.
Fonda denies kicking anyone, and later after lab testing of all the tablets both charges were dismissed. She believes that the government "hoped this 'scandal' would cause the college speeches to be cancelled and ruin [her] respectability".
Jane Fonda maintained her activism supporting the GI anti-war movement, as well as the Black Panthers and Native American activists.
Our podcast episodes 10-11, in conversation with anti-war veterans, are about the GI resistance movement and VVAW, including Jane Fonda's involvement:

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