Black Panther Party (for Self-Defense)

History Founded in 1966, in Oakland, California by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale Dropped the for Self-Defense shortly after founding Formed when there was blatant racism and African American not making progress One of the first organizations in U.S history to militantly struggle for ethnic minorities Branches formed all over the country, mostly in poor African American neighborhoods

Goals/Ideology Main goal to empower African-American during a time they couldn’t make much progress and achieve equality. The Ten-Point Program that was implemented stated all African Americans should be free to determine their destiny. BPP wanted: freedom, full employment, end to capitalist exploitation, decent housing, education that emphasized black history, exemption from military service, end to police brutality, freedom for all black prisoners, jury of their peers for blacks on trial, land, food, housing, clothes, peace and justice.

Missions and Events In 1966 after the murder of a black teen by the police in Richmond, CA; rallies conducted in order to pressure police to investigate the murder. The March on Sacramento was a highly publicized event, where 30 armed Panthers would converge on the State Capital in protest of the Mulford Act which prohibited carrying weapons. In late 1967 the BPP ambushed three police offers and a shoot out ensued, in which one if the officers were killed, and Huey Newton would be charged with murder. In 1968 another shootout with the Oakland police would result in the death of the youngest Panther, Bobby Hutton. Set up the Free Breakfast Program and other programs within the African American communities

Victims John Trey, an Oakland police officer, was shot to death in an altercation with Huey Newton. Officer Herbert Heanes, was also wounded. From 1967 to late 1970, nine police officers would be killed and 36 others, would be wounded from confrontations with the Panthers. Many BPP members would also become victims of murder at the hands of the police.

Growth and Decline Grew rapidly from a small local organization into a national and international party, with as many as 5,000 members and 40 chapters in the United States. The BPP was seen as a serious threat to the government. J. Edgar Hoover the director of the FBI declared that they had to be stopped and FBI counter-intelligence waged a war against the Panthers. A split resulted within the party because some members disagreed with the new direction of the Panther Party. In 1977 the Panther Party quickly declined into violence, criminal activities and financial mismanagement and in 1982 the Black Panther Party came to and end.

Financing The BPP relied on sales of their newspaper, Black Panther; speaker fees; and donations from organizations and individuals for financial support. They refused to take government funds. Thousands of dollars worth of donations came from white allies such as churches, students, and political sympathizers. They donated credit cards, bail money, rent-free offices, vehicles, and etc. The Panthers also raised money by selling buttons, badges, posters and literature.

Weapons Gathering/Damage Potential Carried weapons for self-defense against police brutality Richard Aoki, Japanese American, provided the BPP with weapons Were a peaceful group that used the image of weapons to be taken seriously

Cellular Structure/Training Used standard practices used by the Army. Numerous members of the BPP were highly trained soldiers. No other training besides self-defense tactics Three- tiered organizational structure: – Central Committee (governing body) Consisted of chairman; chief of staff; communications secretary; prime minister; minister of defense, information, education, justice, foreign affairs, religion, culture and finance. – Regional Consisted of state chapters run by chapter leaders (appointed by the national chairman) – Local Consisting of city branches headed by branch leaders.

Target Identification/Vulnerabilities The main target of the BPP was the police and the government. They just wanted equal treatment and their human needs met. The BPP was vulnerable because of the rapid growth and the numerous chapters that had emerged. Members were not always on the same page and it allowed the FBI to infiltrate the party and cause internal conflict.

Future of Group The Black Panther Party dissolved in 1982, they are no longer an organization that functions. Current group called, New Black Panther Party, but former original BPP members claim they are illegitimate. Many are trying to keep the BPP legacy alive with the publication of newspapers, books and movies being made