“American Justice on Trial is a fascinating look at one of the most famous trials in American history. This is a must-see for anyone committed to equal justice under law.”
— Hon. Elihu Harris, former Oakland Mayor & Chancellor of the Peralta Community College District
“This brave film transports viewers into one of the most explosive trials of the 1960s and truly shines a light on one of the lesser-known legacies of the Black Panther Party. It brilliantly presents the story of how Huey Newton and his legal team not only beat the death penalty, but changed the criminal justice system in the process. A real-life courtroom drama packed with iconic characters and a deep message.”
— Liam O'Donoghue Host/Producer, East Bay Yesterday
“American Justice on Trial brilliantly depicts how the Newton case challenged a jury system which routinely excluded qualified Blacks from jury duty in criminal trials and revolutionized the way juries are now selected.”
— Hon. Thelton Henderson, Retired Senior U.S. District Court Judge
“Superb lawyering produced a diversified jury; the documentary is a fascinating examination of how American justice triumphs in an Oakland courtroom.”
— Penny Cooper, Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame
“The film offers insights toward understanding a legendary twentieth century cultural hero caught in the throes of a battle against the pernicious effects of the American racial caste system. American Justice on Trial will prompt much needed discussions today in formal classroom settings as well as community forums.”
— Bamidele Agbasegbe Demerson, Chief Curator, African American Museum and Library at Oakland
“A treasure. Full of fascinating undercurrents.”
— Adam A. Lewis, Senior Counsel, Morrison Foerster LLP
“The MCLE program was superb! We all learned a lot from the film, the skit and the presentation.”
“American Justice on Trial honors Huey Newton’s trial and defense team as critical and groundbreaking in the battle against racism embedded in the American legal system. Law professors, law students, lawyers, and historians will benefit from this well-executed, timely film.”
— Thomas D. Russell, J.D., Ph.D., legal historian and law professor, University of Denver
“As foreman of the Newton jury in the summer of 1968, I am thrilled at the authenticity and accuracy of this wonderful film—so skillfully put together! It means a lot to me to share this history with future generations.”
— David Harper, People v. Newton, jury foreman
“Such an important documentary. Everyone needs to see this film….There’s an ache to have stories like this get out to the wider public.”
— Alexis Krasilovsky, Prof. Emerita, Dept. of Cinema & Television Arts, CSU Northridge
“A remarkable piece of work—sometimes painful, but accurately reflective of an era, a movement and a government’s all too familiar response to a demand for respect and equality.”
— Valerie Bradford, President, NAACP Santa Clarita
“The focus on the legal system is a model for the kind of institutional histories we need [in order] to understand the longue durée of systemic racism that cripples our justice system and destroys people’s lives.”
— Molly O’Hagan Hardy, Historian
“In shining a light on the pivotal but mostly forgotten Huey Newton trial, the film itself becomes a lasting achievement.”
— Clayborne Carson, MLK Centennial Professor of History, Stanford University
“Vintage news footage, archival photographs, newspaper headlines, and contemporary interviews with the jury foreman, Black Panther activists, the retired Oakland police chief, journalists, lawyers, family members, and others help recreate the era and bring into focus the highly explosive trial...Perfect for eliciting discussions among students and others.”
— Sue-Ellen Beauregard, Booklist
“A ‘MUST’ addition to the educational repertoire on American Studies and Civil/Human Rights history. Following the contentious trial of Huey P. Newton, the documentary showcases the systemic injustice of the U.S. judicial system while highlighting those who risk everything to change it. ”
— Mira Foster, Ph.D., Director of Education, Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law, Stanford University
