Jerry Rubin (July 4, 1938 - November 28, 1994) was a social activist during the 1960s and 1970s. He organized the VDC (Vietnam Day Committee), led some of the first protests against the war in Vietnam, and was a cofounder of the Yippies (Youth International Party) with Abbie Hoffman. He was an instrumental part in the disruption of the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He, along with six others (Hoffman, Davis, Froines, Dellinger, Weiner, and Hayden; Bobby Seale was part of the original group but was excluded later) was put on trial for conspiracy and crossing state lines with the intention of inciting a riot. Julius Hoffman was the presiding judge. The defendants were commonly referred to as the "Chicago Eight." Ultimately, the defendants turned the courtroom into a circus and no charges were made.

After the Vietnam War ended, Rubin changed his political views and become an entrepreneur and businessman. He died in 1994 when he was hit by a car in Los Angeles.