The Black Panther Party of Atlanta
Script error: No such module "AfC submission catcheck". The Black Panther Party (BPP), originally founded in 1966, grew to have many chapters in many states around the country. One of these chapters was located in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta was a prime location for a chapter because of the city's rich history, black influential leaders/politicians and large black, working-class population. The Black Panther Party of Atlanta officially opened in February 1970. This authorization would separate the Atlanta branch from its other southern counterparts. Unlike other southern panther affiliates, the Atlanta party was the immediate attention of the city’s leaders. Atlanta was strategically important to the national party leaders. One reason was Atlanta had a growing majority black electorate, with attendant expected electoral Payoffs. With this in mind, this would bring in the idea that black control of the city’s lever of power would mean a less repressive environment, giving the BPP more reign to go along with their plans and have little setbacks.
The Panthers spent a majority of their first year selling the Party’s Newspaper and establishing and presence in the city’s black working-class and poor neighborhoods. The newspaper, The Black Panther, which sold for 25 cents, served for many key functions for the organization. For starters it published directives from the party leaders. It also gave out information about political education classes they were holding for anyone to join as well as giving updates on what various party units that were dispersed across the nation. The most important thing the newspaper did for the organization was gain income. The Black Panther was the BPP main source of income.
During a press conference on September 8, 1971, held at the local headquarters in Kirkwood, Newton announced that the main headquarters in Oakland would be moved to Atlanta in the early months of 1972. During this year, local Panthers gathered its largest membership since they created the organization. Much of the organization were grassroot members, but their consistent present on the Atlanta University Center campus proved to be worthwhile. With this large growth, this allowed for an expansion of community supporters. This network would help fund multiple survival programs in the community under the "Serve the People" Project.
In 1972 the Georgia Chapter of the Black Panthers sponsored 8 Survival Programs: ·A Free Breakfast Program ·The Saturday Freedom School ·The After School Tutorial Program ·A Day Care Program ·A Pest Control Program ·A Free Clothing Program ·A Mobile Medical Clinic ·Also a program providing bussing so that people could visit family members in prison
The Georgia BPP’s efforts came to a firm halt when FBI covert operations operatives made it their mission to stop the advancement of the local party. The media also portrayed the local Panthers as money hungry thugs, despite all of their local activism. Lastly, rouge Panthers attempted an armed robbery and held Martin as a hostage. This combination of events eventually led to the chapter's end in December of 1973 (Jones, 2018). In conclusion, The Georgia Chapter of the Black Panther Party operated from 1970 to 1973. In the short four years, this chapter served as a beacon of hope for the poor black community, even with its limited success.
References[edit]
Judson L. Jeffries, Curtis Austin, Charles Jones, Ava Kinsey, Duncan MacLaury, & Sarah Nicklas. (2018). Wake up Georgia, the Panthers Are Here! The Georgia Chapter of the Black Panther Party in Atlanta, 1970–1973. In The Black Panther Party in a City near You. University of Georgia Press.
Massey, D. (1970, Feb 15). Panthers skirt the law in tech fund-raising. The Atlanta Constitution (1946-1984) ProQuest 1610455426
Taylor, N. (1972, Sep 05). Panthers deny threat against GOP's powell. The Atlanta Constitution (1946-1984) ProQuest 1557113853
Winston A. Grady-Willis. (2006). Challenging U.S. Apartheid : Atlanta and Black Struggles for Human Rights, 1960–1977. Duke University Press Books.
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