FIGHTING RACISM WITH SOLIDARITY

Fred Hampton knew that as long as racism keeps the lower classes divided, capitalism will keep chugging along unimpeded. What he preached was unity and socialism. Words like these saw him rise as a young and dynamic leader in the Black Panther Party. And this clip gives you an idea of his oratory skills. But his ability to communicate also put a target on his back. The US Federal Bureau of Investigations labelled the organisation ‘one of the greatest threats’ to national security. On December 4th 1969, Hampton house was shot 99 times by the Chicago Police Department with no counterfire from the Panthers. An FBI informant drugged Hampton so he never woke up. He was shot twice at close range in the head and killed in his bed by Chicago Police, aged just 21.