Independent Lens Season 16 Episode 18 1971

In the 1970s, the United States was rocked by a series of political and social upheavals that fundamentally changed the country. One of the most fascinating and important of these changes was the rise of the anti-war movement, which transformed ordinary citizens into activists and made them a force to be reckoned with.

In the latest episode of Independent Lens, titled "1971," viewers will be taken on a journey back in time to the height of the anti-war movement, exploring the events and people that helped to shape it. Through a combination of archival footage, interviews, and expert analysis, viewers will gain a unique perspective on a pivotal moment in American history and the people who helped to define it.

The episode begins by setting the stage for the viewer, discussing the tumultuous political and social landscape of the early 1970s. With the Vietnam War raging on and the country deeply divided, many Americans were looking for ways to voice their dissent. This is where the Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI enters the picture.

Composed of a group of anonymous activists, this commission set out to break into an FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania and steal documents that they believed would expose the agency's abuses of power. Incredibly, they succeeded, and the documents they obtained would go on to shape public opinion and help bring about major reforms within the FBI.

Through interviews with members of the commission and experts on the period, viewers will gain insight into how this audacious plan was hatched and executed, and what motivated the activists behind it. What emerges is a complex portrait of a group of people who were willing to risk everything for what they believed was right, even in the face of tremendous danger and opposition.

But "1971" is more than just a story about the Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI. It is also a broader exploration of the era in which they lived, one that was defined by moments of both triumph and tragedy. From the Kent State shootings to the publication of the Pentagon Papers, viewers will be transported back to a time of chaos and upheaval, where the future of America was still very much up in the air.

Throughout it all, "1971" offers a nuanced and deeply human portrait of the people who lived through this remarkable period. From the idealistic young activists who saw themselves as fighting against the forces of oppression, to the FBI agents who saw themselves as protecting the country from internal threats, everyone involved is given a chance to share their side of the story.

Ultimately, what emerges from this episode of Independent Lens is a vivid, powerful portrait of a country in turmoil, and the men and women who helped to lead it through some of its most challenging moments. Whether you lived through this period yourself or are simply interested in learning more about this pivotal moment in American history, this episode is sure to engage and inform in equal measure.