A historic moment took place on Saturday morning as community members gathered to honor the Illinois Black Panther Party headquarters, which was recently demolished.
A plaque was unveiled in the sidewalk on the Near West Side, marking the spot where this significant site once stood.
This plaque is part of a wider initiative, with 12 plaques to be placed around Chicago and one in Peoria, highlighting important historic locations associated with the Black Panther Party in Illinois.
Leila Wills, executive director of the Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party, announced that all plaques will be permanently installed by October 15.
The plaques were first disclosed last October, following a contentious debate over how to best preserve the legacy of the organization, which made a significant impact during the Civil Rights movement.
Former deputy minister of education for the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, Billy Ché Brooks, emphasized the importance of members telling their own stories rather than allowing their history to be misrepresented by others.
“It’s important that young people have the opportunity to look, see and feel the essence of our struggle as an inspiration to them,” Brooks explained.
He described the monuments as reminders of past achievements and possibilities for the future.
“The conditions that existed at the start of the Black Panther Party are the conditions that exist today,” he added.
Bobby Rush, a co-founder of the Illinois Black Panther Party and former congressman, expressed his joy at the gathering and the plaque’s unveiling.
Looking back to 1968, he remarked, “I never would have even imagined that I would be here with each of you today.”
Rush acknowledged the commitment of those who devoted their lives to the ideals of the Black Panther Party, stating that the event is a tribute to their sacrifices.
Several other significant locations will soon be honored with plaques, such as the address on 1512 S. Pulaski Road, where the group initiated its free breakfast program, 2337 W. Monroe St., the site of the 1969 police raid resulting in the assassination of Fred Hampton and others, and 3850 W. 16th St., which housed the chapter’s free medical center.
The event also featured a variety of speakers, including local officials such as Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps and Aldermen Walter Burnett Jr. and Desmon Yancy, as well as Fredrika Newton, the widow of Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton.
The Black Panther Party, founded in the 1960s, emerged from the Black Power movement and was known for providing social services like free breakfast and health care across the United States.
However, the FBI viewed the organization as violent and initiated a counterintelligence program which led to the violent suppression of its members, including the tragic deaths of Mark Clark and Fred Hampton.
At the ceremony, Fred Hampton Jr., the son of the late leader, voiced his dissatisfaction with the event’s organizers.
He accused them of being influenced by government control and left the gathering shortly after, despite being met with encouragement and support from attendees, including Rush.
Joan McCarty, a former Panther who joined the organization in 1969 after a personal tragedy involving police violence, spoke about her experiences and the importance of the party’s history.
Standing at the plaque’s unveiling with her daughter, she vividly recalled meeting Hampton on that very sidewalk.
“That made me know I needed to do something more,” McCarty said, reflecting on her commitment to social justice.
She is currently teaching a class about the Black Panther Party and compiling an oral history project with surviving members.
This effort aligns with the importance of keeping the Panthers’ legacy alive, especially during challenging political times.
“It’s important for people to understand the party when we’re facing fascism,” she urged the crowd.
McCarty emphasized that ongoing struggle is necessary for freedom for all oppressed working people, declaring, “Don’t rest on your laurels. There’s more work to be done.”
Rush echoed her sentiments, calling on the audience to actively resist political figures like President Donald Trump, who he stated are undermining critical support for low-income families through budget cuts to services like food assistance and Medicaid.
“If we don’t resist them with everything we have, they will be successful, so don’t give up on the movement,” Rush urged passionately.
He reminded attendees that the spirit of Fred Hampton continues to resonate today.
The enthusiasm of the younger generation at the event was palpable, as shown by Inazir Flax, a 10-year-old who attended with his grandmother, Vertie Bracy, who is 76.
Inazir reflected on the significance of witnessing such history firsthand, stating, “History is so realistic when you can see it in real life.”
He found the experience to be more impactful than anything learned in school, highlighting the value of engaging with history in a meaningful way.
image source from：chicago
