The Law Enforcement Assistance Act of 1965 began the process of Congress’ providing “military-grade hardware” for local police departments, enabling local police to produce heavily militarized responses to anti-racism protests today.
The Communist Party U.S.A. had its greatest successes as the country reeled from the Depression. Today, as we are still picking our way out of the rubble left by the crash of 2008, left-wing ideas have gained new purchase.
On December 4, 1969, Chicago police raided Hampton’s apartment and shot and killed him in his bed. He was just 21 years old. Black Panther leader Mark Clark was also killed in the raid. Authorities claimed the Panthers had opened fire on the police who were there to serve a search warrant for weapons, evidence later emerged that told a very different story: the FBI, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Chicago police conspired to assassinate Fred Hampton.
During Black History Month, let’s not forget the speech-stifling history of US government spying that has targeted communities of color.
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