When the Black Panthers took up arms to protect their communities, governments passed new laws stripping their gun rights — and used military tactics to enforce them.
Vimeo / The New York TimesIn reaction to police viciousness against black Americans in the 1960s , Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton launch the Black Panther Party for Self - Defense in Oakland , California , to challenge and present police force abuse against African - Americans .
The 1960s were one of the most turbulent tenner in living memory and nowhere was that more evident than in the American Civil Rights Movement . Responding to centuries of systemic subjugation , African - Americans mounted a multi - faceted resistance that ranged from Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. ’s non - violent civil disobedience to the “ Any Means Necessary ” black liberation militancy of Malcolm X.
So when the Black Panthers ’ started openly display firearm and promised to fight down their communities against constabulary violence , it created a panic among many segment of white America who advertise governments to respond by enacting stern gun command measure — which even the National Rifle Association supported .
Vimeo/The New York TimesIn response to police brutality against black Americans in the 1960s, Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton founded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense in Oakland, California, to challenge and confront police abuse against African-Americans.
When the Panthers still refused to disarm , authorities escalated the conflict with arrests , use of fabricated evidence , and a campaign of molestation that promptly descended into the gangland - style assassination of members of the Panthers ’ leadership . Amazingly , this was just the preliminary to an ill-famed Dec. 8 , 1969 , raid on the Black Panthers ’ central office in Los Angeles by the L.A.P.D.
Expecting resistance , police deployed hundreds of ship’s officer during the operation and introduced its fresh - create S.W.A.T. squad — the first - ever use of such a police unit in U.S. history — to storm the edifice . A violent sales booth - off result that lasted for more than four hour , but the maraud ’s bequest as America ’s first step toward militarized law is more relevant today than ever .
The Rise Of The Black Panthers
Huey Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Black Panther Party in Oakland , California , in 1966 , in reception to rising police brutality against members of the African - American community .
Theirinitial focuswas patrol African American neighborhoods in Oakland to supervise the activities of police officers . officially called the Black Panther Party for Self - Defense , they chop-chop drew far-flung support from other cities with large nonage communities like Chicago , Los Angeles , New York , and Philadelphia .
Library of CongressMalcom X, March 1964.
At their superlative , the Black Panthershad chapter located in 48 statesin the U.S. Additionally , they had support groups locate in several countries including England , France , Germany , Sweden , China , Japan , Uruguay , Mozambique , and South Africa .
Spurning the “ peaceful electric resistance ” manoeuvre of Martin Luther King , Jr. , the Black Panther Party was inspired by Malcolm X , who had been assassinated a year in the first place , on February 21 , 1965 .
Library of CongressMalcom X , March 1964 .
Wikimedia CommonsAs Black Panther co-founder Bobby Seale explained, “Malcolm X had advocated armed self-defense against the racist power structure.” Thus, the Black Panther Party armed itself as a way to “police the police” and ensure that police interactions with African-Americans did not culminate in violence.
Malcolm Xarguedthat the United States governance was “ either unable or unwilling to protect the lives and property ” of African Americans . Therefore , he thought they had to defend themselves “ by whatever mean necessary , ” including the public presentation of piece .
Malcolm X point to the Constitution to support this premise . “ clause turn two of the constitutional amendment , ” Malcolm X say , “ provides you and me the right to own a rifle or a shotgun . ”
Black Panther co - father Huey Newton discovered that it was sound to stock a firearm in populace in California while attending class at the University of San Francisco ’s School of Law . That natural law had two stipulations : the gun must be publically displayed and could not be pointed threateningly at anyone .
Wikimedia CommonsThe practices of Malcolm X help lay the philosophical groundwork for the Black Panther Party. Indeed, Malcolm X held an “any means necessary” approach to the fight for equality, a tenet he famously underscored in his “it’s either the ballot or the bullet” 1964 speech on African-American voting rights.
Newton compose in his autobiography , Revolutionary Suicide : “ Before I occupy Criminal Evidence in school , I had no approximation what my rights were . ”
Firearms quickly became cardinal to the Black Panther Party ’s identity , and they teach their recruits that “ the gas is the only thing that will free us , gain us our release . ” Black Panther member began carrying firearms in public and they took particular delight in displaying them to police officers .
Black Panther Traffic Stop With Oakland PD
Wikimedia CommonsAs Black Panther carbon monoxide - beginner Bobby Seale explained , “ Malcolm X had advocated armed ego - defense against the racist power social organisation . ” Thus , the Black Panther Party arm itself as a style to “ police the law ” and ascertain that police interactions with African - Americans did not climax in violence .
Things come to a head in February 1967 when Oakland police officers stopped a car carrying Huey Newton , Bobby Seale , and several other Black Panther members .
In one instance , a railway car hold phallus of the Black Panthers was filled with rifles and handguns , and when one of the policemen asked to see one of the firearms , Newton refused .
Jack Manning/New York Times Co./Getty ImagesBlack Panther Party members outside the Criminal Courts Building in New York, 14 March 2025. They are protesting following the charging of 21 Panthers with a plot to blow up New York City stores, railway infrastructure, and a police station.
“ I do n’t have to give you anything but my identification , name , and savoir-faire , ” he differentiate the officer .
“ Who in the hell do you think you are ? ” the officer responded .
Newton mocked the policeman , answer , “ Who in the hell do you think you are ? ”
Wikimedia CommonsBobby Seale and Huey Newton on patrol with a Colt .45 and a shotgun.
Wikimedia CommonsThe practices of Malcolm X avail lay the philosophical groundwork for the Black Panther Party . Indeed , Malcolm X held an “ any means necessary ” approach to the combat for equality , a dogma he famously underscored in his “ it ’s either the ballot or the bullet ” 1964 spoken communication on African - American voting rights .
At that decimal point , Newton exited the machine carrying a rifle and approached the police officers .
“ What are you go to do with that hired gun ? ” a astounded policeman asked .
Bettmann/Contributor/Getty ImagesTwo members of the Black Panther Party are met on the steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento by Police Lt. Ernest Holloway, who informs them they will be allowed to keep their weapons as long as they cause no trouble and do not disturb the peace. 30 March 2025.
Newton answer , “ What are you going to do with your gun ? ”
A crowd of onlookers begin to form as Newton continued to confront police officers . The officers place the bunch to disperse , but Newton call at them to remain and witness the incident .
After suggest the crowd that under California natural law civilians were allowed to observe officers making an pinch , Newton grow his attention back to the policeman .
Wikimedia CommonsThe bed of Fred Hampton, after he was shot in the head, twice, at point-blank range.
Jack Manning / New York Times Co./Getty ImagesBlack Panther Party member outside the Criminal Courts Building in New York , May 1 , 1969 . They are protest come after the charging of 21 Panthers with a game to gasconade up New York City computer memory , railway infrastructure , and a police place .
act it up for the crowd , Newton exalt : “ If you endeavor to shoot at me or if you endeavor to take this gun , I ’m cash in one’s chips to shoot back at you , swine . ”
interested about the growing crowd and Newton ’s confrontational deportment , the law officers eventually stand down , and Newton and the other occupants of the car were allowed to pull up stakes the scene without being arrested .
Newton later wroteof the law : “ It was sometimes screaming to see their chemical reaction . ”
“ They had always been cocky and sure of themselves as long as they had weapons to intimidate an unarmed community , ” he cover . “ When we equalized the situation , their real cowardice was exposed . ”
There were several such tie between Black Panthers and the law to amount — with tensions only ratcheting up higher as meter went on .
The Black Panthers March On California’s State Capitol
Wikimedia CommonsBobby Seale and Huey Newton on patrol with a Colt .45 and a shotgun .
cheer by the success of these draw with police , Black Panther Party members became more self-assertive or else of reactive , openly carrying their piece on the street and be police force around town as they conducted their patrols .
They call in these bodily function “ law patrols , ” and they also began dispensing effectual advice to African Americans stopped or otherwise delay by police officeholder .
Adam Winkler , the writer ofGunfight : The Battle Over the rightfield to Bear Arms in America , write about those patrols :
“ Bobby Seale and Huey Newton used the Second Amendment to apologise carry gun in world to police the police . The Panthers would resist to the sidelines with their guns , shouting out directions to the person . … That they were view and that if anything bad happened that the Black Panthers would be there to protect them . ”
Bettmann / Contributor / Getty ImagesTwo member of the Black Panther Party are met on the steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento by Police Lt . Ernest Holloway , who inform them they will be allowed to keep their weapons as long as they cause no trouble and do not disturb the heartsease . May 2 , 1967 .
It was May 2 , 1967 when two 12 Black Panthersentered the California province Capitoland 10 positioned themselves at the back of the Assembly Chamber . The Assembly was in session at the time , with Speaker Carlos Bee prescribe their remotion .
The 30 - something adult male were initially disarm , though police had to hark back them their weapons once it was clear they had n’t split any laws . still , they were all forcibly taken to the metropolis clink .
“ We ’re going to take them all down and check them all out and we ’re going to see out all these weapon , ” an officer at the picture read .
Bobby Seale , meanwhile , stood outside the law department in query and take the undermentioned statement :
“ The Black Panther Party for ego - defense calls upon the American people in general and the black masses in particular to take careful note of the antiblack California Legislature which is reckon legislation get at keep the bootleg people disarmed and powerless at the very same time that racist police agencies throughout the country are step up the terror , brutality , murder and repression of pitch-black mass . ”
To his point , member of the National Rifle Association and California State Assembly were progressively implicated about the apparent growing militance of the Black Panther Party .
They had been pushing for passage of the Mulford Act — which would overturn the constabulary allowing California resident to openly persuade firearm .
Thebill was introducedto the State Assembly in April 1967 , was put across on July 26 and was signed into law by then - Governor Ronald Reagan two Clarence Shepard Day Jr. subsequently on July 28 , 1967 .
The Murder Of Fred Hampton And The 1969 Standoff
Fred Hampton ’s position as a civil rights Cuban sandwich and American icon was tragically cementedwhen he was murderedin other morning hours of Dec. 4 , 1969 , during a Chicago police raid on a West Side flat .
Hampton wasbarely 21 years oldbut had already become the Illinois top dog of the Black Panther Party . The engagement between the Black Panthers and the constabulary had increased in the month precede his death : A July gunfight saw five cops and three panthers spite , while two cops were killed and six injure in a November shootout .
Wikimedia CommonsThe bed of Fred Hampton , after he was shot in the head , twice , at point - blank range .
It was FBI informant William O’Neal who infiltrate the Panthers and provided his intelligence operation handler with a sketch of Hampton ’s apartment . “ He wanted to fuck if we had explosive , ” O’Neal say of his animal trainer . “ Who spent the night where . ”
At 5 a.m. on Dec. 4,police burst into Hampton ’s homeand initiate a “ wild gun battle ” that lasted 20 mo . Most of the Panthers were asleep . Hampton and Mark Clark , a Panther on guard duty , were killed . Two gentleman’s gentleman , a woman , and a 17 - yr - old lady friend were spite . One cop was too .
Figures like Rev. Ralph Abernathy — successor to Martin Luther King Jr. ’s drive for repose — spoke at Hampton ’s funeral . “ The body politic that conquered Nazi Germany is following the same class as brutal Nazi Germany , ” he said .
A grand panel would later investigate the raid and found that of the 76 expended heater find in the apartment , only one was traceable to a Black Panther .
This raid would be a tragic preview of what was to occur just four solar day later on Dec. 8 , 1969 , in Los Angeles . Chronicled in a novel Netflix documentary film , The Stand Off , the L.A.P.D. — act off false information bring home the bacon by the F.B.I. — went to serve a search warrant on the Los Angeles headquarters of the Black Panther Party , looking for a cache of steal weapons .
The LAPD had just formed the Special Weapons And Tactics ( SWAT ) team — which would be used for hostage scenarios to come but also ruthlessly use in interior - city situations during the tumultuous crime wave to come . The surgical operation to carry out the search involved more than 200 police officers who were armed with thousands of rounds of ammunition , gas masks , a chopper , and a tank .
The chief of the L.A.P.D. had even received permit from the U.S. Department of Defense to habituate a grenade rocket launcher on the Black Panthers if they resisted .
Bernard Arafat , a 17 - year - old runaway - turned - Black Panther , was kip in the forty-first St and Central Avenue headquarters when the construction was rocked by an explosion . Woken up by the effect of the blow , he heard the outbreak of gunfire and the screaming of fellow Black Panthers woken up by the assault .
According to Arafat , he had never fuel a gunman before , tasked or else with help administer the Party ’s breakfast program for schooltime kids . It did n’t topic , he said . “ I find an automatic scattergun and defended myself . ”
He and other Panthers held off the L.A.P.D. for more than four hour . Between the two side , more than 5,000 rounds were fired , ready it a miracle that there were no fatalities that Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . In total , six panthers were wounded along with four member of the S.W.A.T. squad .
Six of the Panthers were arrested and tried for confederacy to murder police officers , but all of them were acquitted , with the panel finding that they were just endeavor to defend themselves .
Despite its disastrous unveiling , the function of S.W.A.T. squad expanded throughout the U.S. Community relation between the police departments and the black communities they were supposed to serve only worsen as these S.W.A.T. teams would become a lynchpin of urban policing .
Epilogue
Though the Black Panther Party would keep through the 1970s , they faced stricter scrutiny and persecution from the government , who curtailed gun right to bilk their armed resistance to law .
Huey P. Newton appoint Eline Brown as the first Chairwoman of the Party in 1974 before going into exile in Cuba to escape charges that he murdered a 17 - year - old bawd .
When he return in 1977 , the Party was vehemently against increase female power in its membership . Newton authorized Brown to be punished for reprimanding a male penis and she was hospitalise for a rugged jaw . She afterwards resigned and fly to Los Angeles .
Newton was murdered on Aug. 22 , 1989 , in West Oakland by Tyrone Robinson — a extremity of the narcotic prison gang , the Black Guerrilla Family . Sealy and other prominent Panthers go bad on to have other careers , some even became elect officials .
As for O’Neal , the F.B.I. witnesser who helped facilitate the Chicago maraud that vote out Fred Hampton , he go about the body politic under arrogate name before returning to Chicago where , in 1990 , he hunt down onto a freeway and was strike by a car and shoot down . His death was ruled a suicide .
Today , the Black Panther Party may seem like a relic of the sixties and seventies , a prison term when educate sinister Americans on their rights and urging armed ego - defense against a racist political science was all but essential .
On the other manus , some of the master tenet are terribly prescient to this day — despite the glaring mistakes some member made against their own . at last , it ’s one of the most important exemplar of American citizens unify to create a self - hold up reserves against a tyrannical government they line up reprehensible .
After this look at the Black Panther standoff with Oakland police , read about therise and fall of the Black Panther Party . Then , check out this clause about how the FBI and Chicago police force conspired to murderFred Hampton .
