In the beginning, in October of 1966, its principal activity was doing civil patrols with weapons to oversee police behaviour and to controlee the police brutality against Afro-Americans in Oakland, California. In this moment J.Edgar Hoover was managing FBI and he declared against panther’s party that they were a big security trouble for the country”. He oversaw a security program called COINTELPRO, through tactics, sometimes illegals, of surveillancing, infiltration and police harassment. Also we should know that allegedly, the FBI killed party’s members as Fred Hapton, the leader in Chicago.
The government persecution caused a party quickly increase because of arresting and killing of their members. Black community and democratic parties started to give support it because they saw Black Panther Party like a strong party what would defend the opposite of racial segregation and military service. However, between 1972 and 1980 the support began to decrease. This happened for decrease of support citizen, reports about drug traffic and extortion.
Many relevant people have affirmed that the party was the most influent back organisation to became equal rights between blacks and whites during 60’s and other people describe the party like “criminal party”. What is right? We don’t know but each one has to think, read and watch to form his or her own idea. But we are seeing in USA protests that it wants to give international view about the racial troubles.