Panther 21 Acquitted (1971)
Wed May 12, 1971
Image: A poster depicting Panther Zayd Malik Shakur with his hand raised. The poster reads "FREE THE PANTHER 21!" From newafrikan77 on WordPress.
On this day in 1971, the Panther 21 were acquitted of more than 156 charges after two years of legal proceedings. Afeni Shakur, facing 300 years in prison while pregnant with her son Tupac, successfully defended herself in court.
On April 2nd, 1969, 21 members of the Harlem Chapter of the Black Panther Party were formally indicted and charged with 156 counts of "conspiracy" to blow up subway and police stations, five local department stores, six railroads and the Bronx-based New York Botanical Garden.
Each member of the 21 was held on $100,000 bail, $2.1 million in total. 22-year old Alice Faye Williams, better known as Afeni Shakur, was the first to make bail in January 1970.
The Panther 21 Trial became the longest and most expensive trial New York state history, spanning over eight months. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the FBI had planted undercover infiltrators. These infiltrators admitted their role as provocateurs under oath.
Afeni represented herself in the trial, facing 300 years in prison and pregnant with her second son, Tupac Shakur. On May 12th, 1971, after two years of legal proceedings and just 45 minutes of jury deliberation, the Panther 21 were acquitted on all 156 charges of conspiracy.
- Date: 1971-05-12
- Learn More: www.workers.org, jacobinmag.com.
- Source: www.apeoplescalendar.org
One of the rare victories of the era. But one that never should have made it to trial in the first place, imo. And definitely should have be handled better while it was ongoing.