| − | The Party was organized in 1966 by two [[Oakland]] college students, [[Huey Percy Newton]] and [[Bobby Seale]], to fight the [[United States]] government for being a "raciest [and] capitalists state". The group particularly criticized the United States economic structure, called for the government to change to a more [[communist]]ic economic structure. Contrary to [[civil rights]] activist [[Martin Luther King]], the Black Panther Party used speeches to call for violent action to settle [[civil rights]] disputes. After King's assassination in 1968, the group began to arm its members as well as provide [[military]] training. The Black Panthers marched into the [[California]] state capital fully armed, leading to the arrest of some group members. Because many prominent Panther members had [[criminal]] records, the police began to confront the party's leadership. The confrontation led to the death of more then 29 police officers as well as Black Panther members.<ref>http://www.stanford.edu/group/blackpanthers/</ref> Bobby Steale, one of the founders, was arrested after the confrontation. This raid had the effect of limiting the Black Panthers ability to function. The leaders of the now split apart group looked for asylum. This led airline hijackings in [[Cuba]], [[Algeria]] and [[North Korea]], where they requested political asylum. | + | The Party was organized in 1966 by two [[Oakland]] college students, [[Huey Percy Newton]] and [[Bobby Seale]], to fight the [[United States]] government for being a "raciest [and] capitalists state". The group particularly criticized the United States economic structure, called for the government to change to a more [[communist]]ic economic structure. Contrary to [[civil rights]] activist [[Martin Luther King]], the Black Panther Party used speeches to call for violent action to settle [[civil rights]] disputes. After King's assassination in 1968, the group began to arm its members as well as provide [[military]] training. The Black Panthers marched into the [[California]] state capital fully armed, leading to the arrest of some group members. Because many prominent Panther members had [[criminal]] records, the police began to confront the party's leadership. The confrontation led to the death of more then 29 police officers as well as Black Panther members.<ref>http://www.stanford.edu/group/blackpanthers/</ref> Bobby Steale, one of the founders, was arrested after the confrontation. This raid had the effect of limiting the Black Panthers ability to function. The leaders of the now split apart group looked for asylum. This led to airline hijackings in [[Cuba]], [[Algeria]] and [[North Korea]], where they requested political asylum. |