When Zayd Ayers Dohrn was born his parents were fugitives. They were the leaders of the Weather Underground – a violent revolutionary group opposed to the Vietnam war. Most members were white, but they worked closely with radical black organisations opposing racism in the US, drawing attention to their cause through bombing campaigns, bank robberies, and jailbreaks.
When Zayd’s younger brother came along his mother, Bernardine, decided it was time to hand herself in. They managed to do a deal and most of the charges she faced were dropped. However when Zayd was 5 Bernadine went to jail. Despite having been on the run from the FBI for more than a decade she wasn’t charged with any crime. She went to prison because of her refusal to give evidence against her former revolutionary comrades. For Zayd, as a child it was really difficult to understand his mother's choice. To him at the time, it seemed there was an easy path for her to return to the family which she had decided not to take. This is the second of two episodes featuring Zayd.
Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producer: Julian Siddle
Lives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected. Got a story to tell? Send an email to liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or message us via WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784 You can read our privacy notice here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5YD3hBqmw26B8WMHt6GkQxG/lives-less-ordinary-privacy-notice