The Black Panther Party movement, a revolutionary Marxist-Leninist organization, was founded in October 1966 in Oakland, California, following the assassination of Malcom X, and a young teen, Matthew Johnson. The party focused on police brutality, poverty, and community sustainability. They advocated for peace, land, education, and housing. They established community health centers, breakfast programs, and food pantries. The ten-point program, along with their stance on self-survival, self-defense, threatened white supremacy, and capitalism. J. Edgar Hoover, and the full force of the Federal, State, and Local government crushed the movement by the early 80’s through legal suppression, surveillance, misinformation, and state-sanctioned violence.
“Power to the People!” is a rallying call. Although the party itself was short-lived, it disbanded in the early 80,s. The movement’s impact remains relevant, especially today: “ Black Lives Matter”, “I can’t breathe.” The movement is now in full force in some major cities across the nation.