The Black Panther Party was founded in Oakland, California in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. The philosophy of the Black Panthers, known as their ten-point program, combined Marxist socialism and black nationalism with demands for land, housing, education, justice and peace. By 1969 the Black Panthers had become known nationally. The Harlem Branch was one of the first to be formed outside California, and organized black-centered education, housing and health programs, as well as a youth section, the Black Panther Athletic Club. Together with branches in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Mt. Vernon and Corona, the Harlem Branch issued a newsletter called the People's Community News. Over the years, the Harlem Branch became the central offices for the entire state of New York.
The Harlem Branch gained national attention in 1969 when the branch leadership, also known as the New York Panther 21 were arrested on charges of planning to bomb New York City department stores. Although eventually all were acquitted, the Harlem Branch and the larger New York Chapter would never recover from this and other attacks on their organization by the New York City Police Department, the FBI's Counterintelligence Program against Domestic Dissent (COINTELPRO), and the Party's national leadership. Dissension between the national leadership and the New York Chapter had developed over ideological and other issues, and erupted during the jailing and trial of the Panther 21. Accused by New Yorkers of not supporting them adequately, the national leadership expelled the New York Chapter. The Chapter announced that they would set up a new national headquarters of the Black Panther Party in New York City, however by then it became clear that COINTELPRO had succeeded in demoralizing and splitting the leadership.
From the description of Black Panther Party Harlem Branch files, 1969-1970. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122517369
