That fall, he enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where he completed coursework toward a master's degree in psychology. He was on the Brandeis tennis team, which was coached by journalist Bud Collins. Hoffman would later cite Marcuse's influence during his activism and his theories on revolution. He was also a student of Marxist theorist Herbert Marcuse, who Hoffman said had a profound effect on his political outlook. Upon graduating, he enrolled at nearby Brandeis University, where he studied under professors such as noted psychologist Abraham Maslow, often considered the father of humanistic psychology. Hoffman engaged in many behaviors typical of rebellious teenagers in the 1950s, such as riding motorcycles, wearing leather jackets, and sporting a ducktail haircut. After his expulsion, he attended Worcester Academy, graduating in 1955. On June 3, 1954, 17-year-old Hoffman was arrested for the first time, for driving without a license. As an atheist, Hoffman wrote a paper declaring that, 'God could not possibly exist, for if he did, there wouldn't be any suffering in the world.' The irate teacher ripped up the paper and called him 'a Communist punk.' Hoffman jumped on the teacher and started fighting him until he was restrained and removed from the school.

In his second year, Hoffman was expelled from Classical High School, a now-closed public high school in Worcester. Hoffman was raised in a middle-class Jewish household and had two younger siblings.ĭuring his school days, he became known as a troublemaker who started fights, played pranks, vandalized school property, and referred to teachers by their first names. Early life and education Ībbot Howard Hoffman was born November 30, 1936, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to Florence (née Schanberg) and John Hoffman. He died by suicide with a phenobarbital overdose in 1989 at age 52. Hoffman continued his activism into the 1970s and remains an icon of the anti-Vietnam war movement and the counterculture era. : 9 Hoffman, along with all of the defendants and their attorneys were also convicted and sentenced for contempt of court by the judge these convictions were also vacated after an appeal. Department of Justice declined to pursue another trial. : 4 Five of the Chicago Seven defendants, including Hoffman, were convicted of crossing state lines with intent to incite a riot : 8 all of the convictions were vacated after an appeal and the U.S. Īs a member of the Chicago Seven, Hoffman was charged with and tried―for activities during the 1968 Democratic National Convention―for conspiring to use interstate commerce with intent to incite a riot and crossing state lines with the intent to incite a riot under the anti-riot provisions of Title X of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. He was also a leading proponent of the Flower Power movement. All our thoughts are with the Raskin family, and we pray for support to envelop them in this unimaginable time.Abbot Howard Hoffman (November 30, 1936 – April 12, 1989) was an American political and social activist who co-founded the Youth International Party ('Yippies') and was a member of the Chicago Seven.

'Tommy was an incredible and brilliant beam of light. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said in a tweet. 'My heart completely shatters for my dear friend Sarah, and their family in this devastating loss,' Rep. Larry Hogan, a Republican, said in a tweet. I ask all Marylanders to keep the Raskin family in your prayers,' Maryland Gov. 'The First Lady and I extend our deepest sympathies over this heartbreaking loss. Funeral and memorial service arrangements will be released at a later date.Īfter announcing the death on social media, the Maryland lawmaker received an outpouring of sympathies from other lawmakers and friends, among others. The family has asked for everyone to observe strict Covid-19 protocols during their time of grief. Raskin, a member of the powerful House Oversight Committee, was re-elected to his third term in the House this past November. Tommy is survived by two sisters Hannah and Tabitha, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and grandparents, the statement said.

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