Black+Panthers

It all started in October 1966, two young men by the name of Bobby Seale and [|Huey Newton]. The group was once called The Lownders County Freedom Organization (LCDO) for short. The founder of this organization Stokely Carmichael in Alabama in 1964 but the name was later changed. [|The Black Panther Party] was formed in Oakland, California. The group stood for protecting individuals of minority and feeding little children before school would start. They provided free clinics and shelters for the people who were hurt by the police and the racist.

In only a few years [|The Black Panthers] fed over 10,000 kids and the membership grew to over 2,000 people. The main leaders became [|H. Rap Brown], [|Fred Hampton], Fredicka Newton, Eldrige Cleaver, Kathleen Cleaver, David Hilliard, Angela Davis, [|Bobby Hutton], and [|Elaine Brown]. The Black Panthers had several chapters in many cities, but sadly many police harrased them and some of the chapters were forced to close down. The Black Panthers had troubled times with the police. There were many shoot outs and many deaths.

On October 28th, 1967 the police and [|The Black Panthers] had another shootout and it was reported that a police officer was killed. Huey Newton was charged with the murder and was also wounded in the shootout. He was placed on trial for the muder and found guilty of manslaughter. Upon his release Huey Newton gave up political violence. He helped along with the clinics and feeding the children. Huey Newton also published a book called the Revolutionary Suicide. Men still wanted him dead but that wouldnt happen until August 22ed 1989 while he was walking in Oakland.

[|Huey Newton] would not be the only Black Panther to be killed, nearly 24 panthers were killed. April 6th 1968 eight members were stopped by police. Eldridge Cleaver and Bobby Newton ran off with police chasing them. They ran into a basement as the police surrounded them. The police held the standoff until they threw teargas into the basement. Bobby Hutton ran out first and was shot 12 times while has hands were up. He died instantly. December 4th, 1969 the police raided the Black Panther's headquarters. They had a shootout firing off over 100 shots into the Black Panther crowd, they killed [|Fred Hamptom] and Mark Clark were killed.

The police said that they started the shootout but it was later found that the bullits from the crime scene were from the police guns and not from the Panthers. [|The Black Panthers] were leaders trying to protect and help the ones that could not ecape the racism and the brutality of the police. They fought for freedom and some gave their lives so that others could be free. Today The Black Panthers are still known for their bravery and their will to stand up for what was right. We as black people have many opportunites because of these men and women along with others who fought for our rights. The Prominent Members of the [|Black Panther Party]

Fred Hampton Bobby Seale Stokel Carmichael

Huey Newton H. Rap Brown Fredricka Newton

Eldridge Cleaver Kathleen Cleaver David Hilliard

Angela Davis Bobby Hutton [|Elaine Brown]

all of my information and photos were given to me from this website listed at the bottom http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USApantherB.htm