[2] While still a student, Friedman became involved in the fight against the Vietnam War as a campus activist, taking a leadership role in a march of 25,0000 people in the aftermath of the May 1970 Kent State massacre.

[3] Friedman first ran for the Austin City Council in 1971, backed by a coalition which included University of Texas students, Mexican-Americans, African-Americans, and sundry supporters of a liberal reform agenda.

[3] Friedman's victory came largely as the result of an influx of new voters, with the legal voting age being lowered from 21 to 18 ahead of the election.

[6] Friedman and his co-thinkers led the fight to control urban sprawl and to increase participation in government by the minority community of Austin, challenging the business-friendly status quo and helping to reshape the city's longterm political agenda.

[4] After his term as mayor of Austin, Friedman retired from political life and dedicated himself to establishing a legal practice and raising a family.