Bill Ayers

Guide Note: William C. Ayers is a former member of the Weatherman organization. He currently works as a Professor of Education at the University of Illinois in at Chicago.

As a member of the left wing Weatherman organization, he had a role in 1970 bombings of New York City Police Headquarters, the Capitol building in 1971 and the Pentagon in 1972. He came from an affluent background, living in an upmarket Chicago suburb. According to his autobiography, Ayers became a political activist after being radicalized at the University of Michigan. During his years there, he became involved in the New Left and Students for a Democratic Society. Quotes

1. New York Times interview: "I don't regret setting bombs...I feel we didn't do enough" referring to his activity within the Weatherman organization. That interview was published on September 11, 2001."
2. Encapsulated the Weatherman ideology as follows: "Kill all the rich people. Break up their cars and apartments. Bring the revolution home, Kill your parents."

Fast Facts:

1. Born: 1944
2. Lives in Hyde Park, Chicago with his partner, Bernardine Dohrn, and his father
3. 2001: Published: Fugitive Days
4. 1970-1974: Weathermen took responsibility for 12 bombings
5. University of Illinois: teaches interpretive and qualitative research, urban school change, teaching and the modern predicament
6. His articles featured in many journals including the Harvard Educational Review