Black Panther Party

The Black Panther Party (originally called the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense) was a revolutionary, Black nationalist organization in the United States that formed in the late 1960s and grew to national prominence before falling apart due to a combination of internal problems and suppression by state actors, especially the Federal Bureau of Investigation (which included assassination, arrests and stirring-up of factional rivalries via infiltration). It is best known for its Free Breakfast for Children program, its use of the term "Pigs" to describe police officers and for once carrying guns on the floor of the California Assembly.

Self-defense

The BPP advocated and practiced armed self-defense of black communities against what they viewed as the "foreign occupying force" of racist white police. One of the very first activities undertaken by the BPP was the citizens patrol in which they followed officers around, armed with a gun and a copy of the California Penal Code in order to 'protect' the citizens of Oakland. The Oakland Police were greatly angered by this behavior. However, because the Panthers' guns were registered and not concealed they were not in violation of any state or federal gun laws.

Related Topics:
Self-defense - Citizen - Gun - California Penal Code - Oakland Police

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