What is the Black Panther Party?
The Black Panther Party was a political activism group focused on combatting police brutality and black empowerment. It was founded in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in Oakland, California. At its peak in 1970, there were offices in 68 cities in the U.S. as well as an international faction in Algeria. Although they primarily focused on anti-racism efforts, they did encourage community outreach, with their most famous program being Free Breakfast for Children. However, the Black Panther Party was targeted by COINTELPRO, an FBI group that focused on eliminating domestic terrorist groups. As a result, many Black Panther leaders were killed or incarcerated, some of whom are still serving jail sentences to this day. The Black Panther Party ended up dissolving completely in 1982, due to dwindling members based on the amount of people disinterested and the number of people in jail. The Black Panther Party, although revolutionary, still placed women in the background with their efforts barely being recognized in their movements.
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Ten Points of the Black Panther Party
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Timeline of the Black Panther Party
- October 1966-Black Panther Party for Self-Defense is founded by Huey P. Newton in Oakland, California
- January 1967-First BPP office opens
- May 1967-26 Panthers are arrested for protesting California's legislation on gun control
- July 1967-Anti-gun law is passed in California; Panther patrols are outlawed
- January 1968-Southern California branch is organized
- March 1968-J. Edgar Hoover releases a mandate stating black national groups are terrorists and will be targeted by the FBI
- April 1968-Office opens in New York, Bobby Hutton, 17, is killed in a shootout between Panthers and Oakland police
- November 1968-Free Breakfast for Children initiated
- January 1969-First Free Breakfast for Children opens in Oakland
- June 1969-J. Edgar Hoover declares 1969 is the last year for Panthers
- July 1970-FBI recognizes BPP as "dangerous"
- August 1970-Marin County courthouse incident, Angela Davis declared a fugitive
- October 1970-Angela Davis captured
- February 1971-Huey P. Newton is expelled from the group
- September 1971-Prison revolt at the Attica Correctional Facility
- Summer 1974-Huey P. Newton's exile, Elaine Brown becomes leader, Eldridge and Kathleen Cleaver return from exile
- December 1975-BPP files $100 million lawsuit against the FBI
- July 1977-Elaine Brown steps down
- Summer 1980-Huey P. Newton returns, small amount of party members remain
- 1982-BPP School closes due to embezzlement from Huey P. Newton
- August 1989-Huey P. Newton is killed in drug dispute