Changes

==History==

==History==

The Party was organized in 1966 by two [[Oakland]] college students, [[Huey Percy Newton]] and [[Bobby Seale]], to fight  the [[American]] government as a "racist [and] capitalist state". The group criticized in particular the American economic structure, callinf for the government to change to a more [[communist]]ic economy. Contrary to activists such as [[Martin Luther King]], the Black Panthers called 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 them with [[military]] training.

The Party was organized in 1966 by two [[Oakland]] college students, [[Huey Percy Newton]] and [[Bobby Seale]], to fight  the [[American]] government as a "racist [and] capitalist state". The group criticized in particular the American economic structure, calling for the government to change to a more [[communist]]ic economy. Contrary to activists such as [[Martin Luther King]], the Black Panthers called for violent action against [[racism]]. After King's assassination in 1968, the group began to arm its members as well as provide them with [[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 sought asylum. This led to airline hijackings in [[Cuba]], [[Algeria]] and [[North Korea]], where they requested political asylum.

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 sought asylum. This led to airline hijackings in [[Cuba]], [[Algeria]] and [[North Korea]], where they requested political asylum.