The courthouse shootout on August 7, 1970, was a significant and tragic event in U.S. history. It occurred at the Marin County Courthouse in San Rafael, California, when a group of armed men, led by Jonathan Jackson, attempted to free the “Soledad Brothers”—three African American men accused of killing a white prison guard. The plan went awry, leading to a violent confrontation. During the shootout, Judge Harold Haley, a deputy, and two others were killed.

Angela Davis, a prominent activist, was implicated in the incident due to her alleged involvement in providing the firearms used in the attack. At the time, Davis was a member of the Communist Party and had been an outspoken advocate for the rights of African Americans and prisoners. She was charged with aiding and abetting the kidnapping and murder, leading to a nationwide manhunt. Davis went into hiding to avoid arrest, but was later captured and brought to trial. Her trial, which garnered significant attention, ultimately ended in her acquittal in 1972.