Black Panther Party’s 57th Anniversary

On 15 October 1966, Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defence was founded in Oakland, California (USA). The party was a revolutionary Black socialist organisation with a strong internationalist politic. Its presence quickly spread across the United States, with major chapters popping up in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Philadelphia.

The party was known for its free programs known as ‘survival programs’ in Black communities. They offered health services, children’s educational services, food, clothing and more.

Their work was guided by their 10-point program. The first point stated, “We Want Freedom. We Want Power to Determine the Destiny of Our Black Community. We believe that Black people will not be free until we are able to determine our destiny.”

The Black Panther Party left a global mark as it eventually created an international section in Algeria and established a presence in the United Kingdom. It also inspired marginalised people in other countries to establish similar types of “panther” parties. The organisation took clear anti-imperialist positions in regards to national liberation struggles across the African continent and around the world.

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