The Black Panther Party Patrols the Streets
In order to help end police brutality, the party advocated carrying guns for self-defense. At the time, under California law it was legal to carry guns if not concealed. The Panthers also took on various responsibilities in the community. Wearing black leather jackets, blue shirts, black pants, and black berets, they patrolled the neighborhoods carrying weapons, recorders, law books, and taught black history, counseled welfare recipients, and protested rent evictions.
The Growth of the Black Panther Party
In 1967, ex-convict Eldridge Cleaver joined the party. At the time, Cleaver was on parole, was working as a writer at Ramparts magazine, and was the founder of the political organization in San Francisco called Black House. Cleaver served as the Panthers’ minister of information. In this position he was in charge of the publication of the Black Panther newspaper. On April 25, 1967, the first issue of the paper was published. The paper quickly gained readership. As many as a fifty thousand papers were sold within the first three issues.The party began to grow. Other chapter locations were opened throughout the United States. With their growth came media attention. One noteworthy incident occurred when 30 Panther members armed with guns, went to the state legislature in Sacramento to protest a bill that would outlaw carrying weapons in public. According to Seale, the group intended to watch the proceedings from the spectator section, but they instead mistakenly ended up on the floor of the legislature. The scene caused quite a stir on the floor. After leaving the capitol without incident, two blocks away, the Panther members were arrested for disturbing the peace.
A Violent Standoff with the Police
Police contact and violent incidents with the Panthers began to increase. One such incident occurred on October 28, 1967 when a shootout between the police and Newton ensued. Newton was shot four times in the stomach, one police officer was killed, and another was seriously injured. Newton was convicted of voluntary manslaughter. After protest from Panther members that encompassed the highly publicized “Free Nuey” campaign, his conviction was overturned by the California State Court of Appeals in 1970.After Newton was released from prison, he reunited with Seale. They decided to focus the party’s direction on developing community outreach, such as medical programs and providing free food and clothing. Cleaver did not agree with the shift in focus, and left the party. Newton and Seale’s involvement lasted a few more years until Newton fled to Cuba to avoid being charged for the murder of a young prostitute. Seale resigned shortly thereafter.
The Disbandment of the Black Panther Party
Elaine Brown became the Panther’s new leader. She continued to focus on community services. By the mid-1970s, the majority of party members were women. In the early 1980s the party disbanded.
