Seattle’s Black Panther Party celebrated the 5oth anniversary with a weekend of forums on topics important to the black community.
The Seattle Black Panther coalition was founded in 1968 and was the first chapter established outside of the Oakland chapter.
The 50th anniversary celebration took place the last weekend of April in the Central District’s Washington Hall. It featured conversations with activists, founding members and performances by local musicians. The theme of the celebration was “Power to the People… Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.”
The theme was meant to highlight the revolutionary impact of the Black Panther Party, according to an event program.
“Our vision… is to cement the legacy, history, and accomplishments of the Seattle Chapter of the Black Panther Party in the hearts and minds of the people Seattle as an example of effective struggle for future revolutionaries.”
Presenters discussed topics such as hip-hop activism, Panthers and Zapatistas, and a conversation about the school-to-prison pipeline.
Photographer Susan Fried was there to document the celebration.
