Who Bombed Judi Bari

WHO BOMBED JUDI BARI? is a documentary about the FBI's refusal to investigate the car bombing of environmental activists touring to save the redwoods; its arrest of the victims of that bombing; and the victims’ successful first amendment lawsuit against the federal government. The movie is the only film ever released to come with a $50,000 reward—in this case for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the bomber.

WHO BOMBED JUDI BARI? chronicles a great, unsolved mystery: Who, on May 24, 1990, tried to assassinate one of the most prominent environmental organizers of her day, Judi Bari. Bari and her eco-cohort (and the film’s producer), Darryl Cherney, were car-bombed in 1990 while on their way to a musical organizing performance for three months of demonstrations called Redwood Summer. It was a hot political year with Bari galvanizing thousands to come to Northern California’s redwood country to camp out and protest. After receiving dozens of death threats, Bari and Cherney were car-bombed in Oakland. Yet the FBI and Oakland Police Department chose to immediately arrest them for "transportation of an explosive device" rather than seek out the would-be assassin. Bari and Cherney went on to sue the FBI and OPD for civil rights violations, winning four million dollars, though not before Judi died of cancer seven years after surviving the crippling bombing.

WHO BOMBED JUDI BARI? is composed entirely of archival footage, including a unique Humboldt County live version of "Angel from Montgomery" performed by Bonnie Raitt; a live version of “Shady Grove” by the David Grisman Quintet performing at a tree-sit; rare footage of Woody Harrelson climbing the Golden Gate Bridge to protest logging of the redwoods; and a tribute to Judi Bari by then-citizen Jerry Brown. The movie is narrated by Judi Bari herself, shot on camera as she told her life story through her deathbed testimony. As she weaves her tale under oath, the movie flashes back and forth to footage of the daring, action-packed, yet often humorous and musical scenes she depicts.