Soros-funded Media and the Glorification of the Weather Underground

By Larry D Grathwohl
October 27, 2011


It is currently being reported in many of the Hollywood and Cinema blogs that Robert Redford is going to make a movie about the Weather Underground. Such familiar names as Susan Sarandon, Julie Christie, Nick Nolte and Robert Redford himself are reportedly being considered for starring roles in this movie based on a novel by Neil Gordon titled, "The Company You Keep." It seems clear that this is an attempt to portray a communist terrorist group, the Weather Underground, in a positive light. As such, it fits into the agenda of billionaire George Soros, who has given a public platform or even grants to such Weather Underground figures as Bernardine Dohrn and Linda Evans.

It is important to note that Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute has received $5 million from the George Soros-funded Open Society Institute. A release at the time of this grant declared that, “The Sundance Institute will receive a $5 million grant for its Documentary Film Program to help raise awareness on human rights…” Soros henchman Aryeh Neier was quoted as saying, “Films can play a powerful role in inspiring action on human rights, justice, accountability, and other open society issues. The Sundance Institute’s work helps filmmakers shed light on the most pressing challenges of our time.”

So we must conclude that this film, now in the making, will highlight the so-called human rights of terrorists and their protectors. That, too, represents the bizarre mind-set of George Soros and Aryeh Neier, who have dedicated their lives to making it impossible for law enforcement to use undercover operatives and informants in order to disrupt or destroy terrorist organizations.

First, a note about myself: I joined the Army in October of 1964. I became a paratrooper in 1965 and was assigned to the 2/502 Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division in April. By July, I along with the First Brigade was sent to South Vietnam. I was 17 years old and I believed that we were there to save the people of South Vietnam from communism and North Vietnamese dominance. The Second Battalion of the 502nd Infantry received two Presidential Unit Citations while I was assigned to the unit. One citation was for an action at Ah Ninh in September of 1965 and the other for an action during operation Hawthorn in May of 1966. This is unprecedented as no unit has been cited twice in less than a year. When I returned from Vietnam I became a Drill Instructor at Fort Knox Kentucky. I extended my service for nine months and was honorably discharged in July of 1968. I had no idea that another fight of an unexpected kind was just one year in the future.


In 1969, while attending the University of Cincinnati I encountered members of what was then known as the Weatherman faction of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). At first I was inclined to pay little attention to them and to dismiss them as being violence prone and crazy. Later I would meet two of these individuals who were distributing literature and asking if we were "going to the National Action in Chicago to get the pigs." Again, I was inclined to dismiss them and even made a remark that if they wanted to get the pigs there was lots of them in Cincinnati and they didn't have to go to Chicago to accomplish that. I read the literature they had given me and became more concerned that this group of lunatics actually meant to do what they said they were going to do "attack the city of Chicago." I went to the Cincinnati Police Department and inform them of the individuals I had encountered and their plans for the city of Chicago. I also provided the police with the literature that I had received at that meeting. I was asked by the Cincinnati Police Department to attend the meetings I had been invited to and to provide whatever information I could regarding the plans the Weatherman had for the National Action which is what they called their planned attack on Chicago. I agreed to do so and little did I anticipate that I would become the only source of information that went underground with the Weatherman at the end of the year. Mark Rudd even acknowledges this fact in his book, "Underground" on page 202, "Still, Grathwohl was the only known infiltrator ever exposed in the Weatherman organization". He further states, "Had there been others, the government certainly would have used them to bust us in the years after 1970".


My decision to infiltrate the Weatherman Organization was based, more than anything, on their propensity to violence. I found, even in the earliest meetings, that these people were terrorists planning for a direct confrontation with authority of any kind and that their ultimate goal was to destroy the United States and the imposition of totalitarian socialism. From the time of my first meetings and the preparation for the National Action the Weatherman's intentions were evident. We would meet at Eden Park in Cincinnati and practice karate and working together in four man infinity groups. The intention was to prepare us for an assault on the city of Chicago and it was stated time and again, "if the pigs don't attack us then we will attack them". There was no way for me to interpret this activity and these statements as anything other than intentional violence. The Weatherman intended to do exactly what they said they were going to do and they did resulting in Richard Elrod’s being paralyzed from the neck down -- not to mention the extensive damage done to property of all types.


When the Weatherman returned to Cincinnati after the National Action they contacted me and I again began to attend meetings and my infiltration of the organization began. At this point I went to the FBI believing they were better equipped to deal with an organization such as the Weatherman. There were meetings and activities that I had to attend as I rose through the ranks. In one instance I was tested when LSD was passed out and then I underwent a criticism and self-criticism session that was meant to determine if I was really committed to the Weatherman. This is referred to in Mark Rudd's book as the, "Acid Test" (page 202) and I can say that it was very intense and lasted several hours. I did not take the acid and in the end responded in the appropriate manner as I was then fully accepted as a dedicated and committed revolutionary or more appropriately a Terrorist. It was then that I was asked to move into the collective and to work full-time as a Weatherman.

I can tell you that it was an abnormal existence with little if any personal hygiene and cleanliness. Most of the time the apartments were cold as the utilities had been turned off. Sometimes we went for several days without eating as the collective had little money. Meetings and strategy sessions were held every day and attendance was mandatory. It was simply an ugly way to live but the Weathermen thought they were rejecting everything “middle class,” never considering the affect this behavior was having on their ability to accomplish their goal of becoming revolutionaries and domestic terrorists. Later, when the group went underground this would be recognized and the lifestyle changed.

The fact that I was able to infiltrate this terrorist organization becomes important when considering that I was the only one to successfully do so. The Weather Underground, as they came to be known, was significantly affected on April 15, 1970 when I facilitated the arrests of Linda Evans and Dionne Donghi. Apparently Mark Rudd was supposed to be at the same meeting and unfortunately the FBI just missed arresting him. On that day I was also arrested in an effort to maintain my cover and credibility with the Weatherman. I knew that this was going to blow my cover and I attempted to convince the FBI that this was not the time to arrest these people. I believed, and Mark Rudd confirms this, that given more time I would have been able to affect the arrest of more Weathermen and to possibly bring the organization to its knees. My attempts were ignored and I was told that the decision to make this arrest had been made at the highest level -- meaning J Edgar Hoover. I can say now, as I did then, that this arrest was a mistake and that a little more time would have resulted in greater rewards.

With that background, you can now understand how outraged I am over the planned Weather Underground film being planned by Robert Redford and his Soros-funded backers.

The story they are using is about an individual named Jason Sinai who participated in a bank robbery, which goes wrong, (I thought all bank robberies were wrong) that took place in 1974 and after 30 years his cover has been blown by a reporter who is trying to make a name for himself. In order to protect his family, this terrorist fugitive must flee his home and family and take to the road where he is forced to make contact with former members of the Weather Underground and other terrorist organizations of that era.

It's interesting to note the very close similarities between the story Neil Gordon has woven into his novel and the bombings and other criminal acts committed by the Weather Underground during the late 60s and the early 70s. Kathy Boudin and David Gilbert were members of the Weather Underground who together with members of the Black Liberation Army robbed a Brinks truck in New Jersey and a guard and two police officers were murdered. According to Bill Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn was the person who placed the bomb at the Park police station in San Francisco in 1970 that resulted in the death of Police Sgt. Brian McDonnell and yet they continue to claim that the Weather Underground NEVER killed or harmed anyone. It is also important to remember the numerous other bombings that took place, including the New York City police headquarters, the U.S. Capitol, and the Pentagon.

It appears that Robert Redford is going to make a movie that not only downplays the acts of terrorism committed by this group but also makes them appear to be heroes and good Americans. Such phrases as, “a sweeping American saga about sacrifice”, “using violent action and inflammatory rhetoric to protest the Vietnam war and various other social issues” are examples of this movie’s planned depiction of the Weather Underground and its acts of terrorism against life and property. Somehow these terrorists and murderers are transformed into, "real Americans who stood for their beliefs…… defending their countries ideals.”

In one chapter a character named Benjamin Schukberg, who happens to be a reporter, begins a rant in justification of the violence involved in the Weather Underground’s violent activities. One comment this reporter states in regards to the protests against the Vietnam War that “the state” is “beating you up and putting you in jail and it doesn't listen to any explanations." This statement ignores the fact that many of those protesters of that time were attacking people and property. Violence was their message. In another instance Benjamin continues, "just imagine the choice, on one hand, between this jowly, unhealthy, vile, lying son of b___h Nixon with his horrid little sidekicks, and on the other hand, this vast movement throughout the country where people are not just getting laid, and getting high, and listening to find music, and having fun, but to boot, they’re right!"

I find this statement amazing, with a total condemnation of President Nixon while making it sound as if the tuned-in, dropped-out generation wasn't in the streets attacking anything and everything in their path but were just trying to have fun with sex, dope and fine music.

Later, as Benjamin continues his rant, he says, "The fact is, Weather (referring to the Weather Underground) was making a last-ditch protest against the government that refused to obey the Constitution, and McVeigh (who blew up the Federal building in Oklahoma City) was protesting a government for obeying the Constitution. Right? All Weather was saying was that this government has to follow what the Constitution says." This is simply not true as the Weather Underground made several statements declaring war on the United States and its people, met with many of the enemies of the United States and called for the total destruction of what they referred to as U.S. imperialism.



Their violent activities cannot be disputed and their claims that they never injured or killed anyone are simply lies. For Mr. Redford to glorify this group of terrorist traitors is beyond comprehension and shouldn't be allowed to happen.

I have made several attempts to contact Mr. Redford in an effort to enlighten him as to what the Weather Undergrounds real purposes and goals were during that time. So far my efforts have failed and while I realize that this movie is based on a novel it is still utilizing the real criminal acts committed by individuals who comprised the membership of the Weather Underground.

Bernadine Dohrn in her first communication from the Weather Underground stated,”THIS IS A DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST THE UNITED STATES”. I sat in meetings with many members of the Weather Underground, including Bill Ayers, and discussed plans to bomb places and buildings with the sole purpose of causing as much death and destruction as possible. The Weather Underground wasn't trying to end the war in Vietnam but rather to bring the war home to the United States. Their avowed purpose was clearly stated in many communiqués throughout the years and that was to overthrow the government of the United States and create a communist or socialist society for the people of this country. If necessary they were ready and willing to kill as many as 25 million people in order to achieve their goal.

It's hard to believe that someone who is made their fortune entertaining America has forgotten the trauma and the fear the Weather Underground created 40 years ago. How Robert Redford can allow himself to be used in such a way is a disgrace. Bill Ayers, who has stated that his only regret is that they didn't do enough, is now to be changed from an unrepentant domestic terrorist to a good American, courtesy of Hollywood and George Soros.

We must expose this dastardly attempt at filmmaking and highlight the political agenda of Soros-funded groups which are still working to undermine our law enforcement agencies. The Weather Underground could not have existed without the support of organizations such as the National Lawyers Guild, a Communist Party front organization. Today, the NLG and its sister organization, the Center for Constitutional Rights, actively work to undermine our intelligence and police agencies. They provide legal and other support to the “Occupy Wall Street” protesters.

We need more, not less, informants in these groups, and I wish to salute Brandon Darby for breaking with his left-wing comrades and working for the FBI inside one of the anarchist organizations caught planning violence for the 2008 Republican National Convention. I know what he is up against.

After my experience working with the FBI and after testifying before the Senate and three Federal Grand Juries as well as the trial of Mark felt and Ed Miller I was subjected to threats and accusations regarding my activities with the FBI and my personal character. On a Wanted Poster, found by an FBI agent in Berkeley California, I was wanted, "For Crimes against the People.” Additionally it was stated that, "Grathwohl has been identified by weatherwoman Linda Evans as a pig infiltrator. Busted in New York with Linda he was immediately released on OR. He has lived in collectives in New York, New Haven, and Cincinnati. Thursday morning he turned up in Berkeley." Also included on the wanted poster was the following statement, "Caution: this man is dangerous. He advocated the use of explosives and firearms and is known to be a heavy user of speed". Of course this wanted poster has a picture of me taken at the time of the arrest of Linda Evans and Dionne Donghi and notice that I have also been accused of being a drug user.

Later an article would appear in the same newspaper claiming that I was a heavy user of "Reds". I have no idea what Reds are in the drug world but I can only tell you that I carried around cinnamon candies in a plastic bag and asked people if they wanted some Reds. I was addicted to this candy and still am. I'll eat a whole bag of them in one setting and now try to keep them out of my reach.

There was also an article that appeared in an underground newspaper called "The Berkeley Tribe, August 1970" which occupied two pages and is titled," Unsettled Accounts". Underneath this headline it stated, "Larry Grathwohl is one of the most dangerous police agents ever to infiltrate the American revolutionary movement."

The substance of the article is extremely negative, ending with, "Agents like Larry Grathwohl are viciously f__ked up. The only thing we can want is to have them wiped out like the poisonous viper's they are - without leaving them or the Government that controls them the smallest chance to strike back."

I believe that this can leave little doubt as to what these people wanted to see happen to me. The truth didn't matter. The only important facts were that I tried to prevent Weatherman violence and the death and injury of many innocent people.

Not only do we need the ability of the FBI and police agencies to infiltrate these groups, I encourage the House and the Senate to create new congressional committees to investigate potential terrorist organizations nationally and internationally, and to provide advice and direction to federal and local law enforcement agencies. That means the House and Senate should re-establish committees or subcommittees on internal security and un-American activities.

I believe that every citizen of the United States has the right to free speech and assembly. I also believe that when these individuals plan and prepare violent attacks on individuals, government buildings and property, that is no longer a constitutionally protected privilege. It is breaking the law and threatening the lives of innocent people.

The U.S. Government has an obligation to provide for the common defense. Every political figure swears an oath to protect our Constitution and the people from enemies, foreign and domestic. It is time for Congress to do its job.

The Congress can begin by investigating Obama Administration links to the “Occupy Wall Street” movement and related mobs, which include assorted Marxists, communists, socialists and anarchists. Let this be a teaching moment as to how the violence of the 1960s and 70s that I witnessed first-hand can return with a vengeance. Let us hope that we act and stop this madness before it is too late.