Black+Panthers

=Black Panthers=

Founded in October, 1966
Huey Newton and Bobby Seale founded the organisation of self-defense, widely known as The Black Panthers, the main purposes of this organisation were to create real economic,social and political equality across gender and colour lines. The original six members of The Black Panther party were, Elbert Howard, Huey Newton, Sherman Forte, Bobby Seale, Reggie Forte and Little Bobby Hutton.

The Black Panthers practised militant self defense against the U.S government and established the ten points program, these ten points included freedom and power to determine the destiny of the black community, 'decent' housing or shelter fit for human beings, the education that teaches them their true history and the rights that they deserve, land, bread, housing, justice and peace. The black panthers also believed that the courts should follow the U.S constitution so that everyone, including the black community should receive a fair trial. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" (written October 15, 1966 by Huey Newton) The practises of the late Malcom X were deeply rooted in the theoretical foundations of the Black Panther Party, The Panthers followed Malcolm's belief of international working class unity across the spectrum of color and gender, and thus united with various minority and white revolutionary groups.

On April 25th, 1967 the first issue of 'The Black Panther', the parties offical news paper, goes into distribution. This gave them an opportunity to put across their message and their solution, mainly to the black community. In october of 1967 the chairman of the panthers (Huey Newton) was arrested by the oakland police for allegedly killing a police officer. The panthers then started a campaign to 'Free Huey' this was a struggle that the panthers devoted their lives to. After these chain of events the panthers spread their roots farther into the political spectrum, forming coalitions with many other revolutionary parties. At the 1968 olympics in Mexico, two sprinters (Tommie Smith and John Carlos) stood on the podium and raised their fists in a 'black power salute', this was mistakenly seen as an act of The Black Panthers Party and was later on criticised. Later in April 1968 Bobby Hutton, an original member of the black panthers is shot dead, unarmed after his house was burned, to lure him out. Shortly after this Martin Luther King was assassinated. These joint events sparked outrage amongst the public, and inspired support from JFK.

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