John,
Our history is precious. Our history is sacred. Our history is rich.
And our history deserves to be told the right way.
One of the most influential forces of the 20th century was the Black Panther Party, founded in October 1966 in Oakland, California by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. The Black Panthers tirelessly advocated for Black liberation and fought against police brutality.
The mark they left on American culture and the world allowed for our movement for Black lives today.
The Black Panthers transformed our communities through various social programs, no-cost medical clinics, and free breakfast programs for kids in disadvantaged neighborhoods. These programs became so popular that the government later adopted some of the practices and are the reason why we have free lunch programs across the country.
Today and everyday,
our movement stands on the shoulders of our ancestors and continues on with that same fight. Together we shall rise, and
together, we'll put an end to state sanctioned violence against Black people, pass the modern day Civil Rights Act that is the BREATHE Act, and liberate our communities.
Here are our graphics in honor of the Black Panther Party's founding -- make sure to share them on Instagram with your colleagues, friends, and family >>
We safeguard our history pridefully, not only because it shows us the progress we've made as a movement, but because it serves as a reminder of how much work that's yet to be done.
Our fight is far from over, but together, we shall rise.
In love and solidarity,
Black Lives Matter Global Network
