Bill Ayers American professor and former militant organizer Date of Birth: 26.12.1944 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Activism
2. Weather Underground
3. Bombing Activities
4. "Days of Rage" and "War Council"
5. Later Career and Legacy
6. Personal Life

Early Life and Activism

William Ayers, an American professor and former militant organizer, was born and raised in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Influenced by the anti-Vietnam War movement, Ayers joined Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) in 1965. He became a prominent leader within SDS, serving as the head of the "Jesse James Gang" regional group.

Weather Underground

In 1969, Ayers co-founded the Weather Underground, a radical leftist organization dedicated to overthrowing what they perceived as American imperialism. The group carried out a series of bombings of public buildings to protest US involvement in the Vietnam War. Despite the explosions, no fatalities occurred outside of the group itself, where three members were killed in an accidental explosion. The FBI labeled Weather Underground a domestic terrorist organization, and Ayers was hunted as a fugitive for several years.

Bombing Activities

The Weather Underground's bombing campaign targeted public buildings as a way to protest US imperialism. Ayers was involved in placing a bomb at a statue dedicated to victims of police violence in Chicago, which shattered nearly 100 windows and sent debris scattering onto a nearby highway. The statue was later rebuilt and blown up again by other Weathermen.

"Days of Rage" and "War Council"

Ayers participated in the "Days of Rage" riot in Chicago in October 1969. He also attended the "War Council" meeting in Flint, Michigan, in December, where the decision was made to initiate violent armed struggle against the state. Ayers held significant authority within the Weather Underground, along with fellow leader Bernardine Dohrn.

Later Career and Legacy

After the Weather Underground disbanded, Ayers became a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Education, where he earned the titles of Distinguished Professor of Education and Senior University Scholar. In 2008, his contacts with then-candidate Barack Obama became a topic of controversy during the US presidential campaign.

Personal Life

Ayers is married to Bernardine Dohrn, a former Weather Underground colleague. They have two adult children, Zayd and Malik, and share legal guardianship of Chesa Boudin, the son of former Weather Underground members Kathy Boudin and David Gilbert. Chesa Boudin went on to win a Rhodes Scholarship and was elected District Attorney of San Francisco in 2019. Ayers and Dohrn reside in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.