Tom Hayden, a veteran social activist and politician, has died at 76, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Times said Hayden battled a lengthy illness and died in Santa Monica, California. Hayden, who served for 18 years in the California state legislature, was once married to actress Jane Fonda.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti expressed condolences on Twitter, calling Hayden a “political giant.”
A political giant and dear friend has passed. Tom Hayden fought harder for what he believed than just about anyone I have known. RIP, Tom.
— Eric Garcetti (@ericgarcetti) October 24, 2016
Hayden was a founding member of Students for a Democratic Society and was primary author of the group’s manifesto, the Port Huron Statement. Hayden was one of the “Chicago Eight” activists who were arrested, but eventually acquitted, for protesting during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
He authored several books and was featured in The New York Times, the Boston Globe and the Denver Post. He also served on the editorial board of The Nation and was a columnist for the magazine. Hayden lost campaigns for U.S. Senate, governor of California and mayor of Los Angeles.
Hayden was married to Fonda from 1973 to 1990 during which time they had two children.
Hayden is survived by his wife, Barbara Williams, and his children Liam, Troy Garity and Mary Hayden Frey. He is also survived by stepdaughter Vanessa Vadim and her two children.