The Legacy of the Black Panthers

When: Wed, Feb 05 2020 11:30am - Wed, Feb 05 2020 12:30pm 

Where: SUB Santa Ana A & B

The Black Panther Party  was a revolutionary political organization founded by Bobby Seale and Huey Newton. The party was active in the United States from 1966 until 1982^.

At its inception, the Black Panther Party's core practice was its armed citizens' patrols to monitor the behavior of officers of the Oakland Police Department and challenge police brutality in the city.

In 1969, a variety of community social programs became a core activity. The Party instituted the Free Breakfast for Children Programs and community health clinics for education and treatment of diseases including sickle cell anemia, tuberculosis, and later HIV/AIDS.

Black Panther Party membership reached a peak in 1970, with offices in 68 cities and thousands of members.

By 1972 most Panther activity centered on the national headquarters and a school in Oakland, where the party continued to influence local politics.

The Chicago chapter also remained active and maintained their community programs until 1974.

The Seattle chapter persisted longer than most, with a breakfast program and medical clinics that continued even after the chapter disbanded in 1977.

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