The Great Speckled Bird arose in 1968 as an emblem of the counterculture wave spreading across America. Founded by New Left student activists in Atlanta, Georgia, the Bird challenged everything from establishment figures such as the mayor of Atlanta to the foundations of journalism itself. Its young, liberal editors wrote their minds freely, whether it be exposés on the misdeeds of garbage disposal companies or passionate criticisms of America's participation in the Vietnam War. Shunning objectivity, the Bird made its voice heard in a way that was wildly original, popular, and hated at the same time. The weekly newspaper was at one point the third most popular in Georgia; in 1972, its main office was firebombed. Still, the Bird continued until 1978 to provide a platform for the New Left to spread their ideas about racism, sexism, homophobia, Vietnam, politics, and whatever else they felt needed a voice.