A newspaper article from The Star-Ledger about the testimony of defense witness Dr. Arthur Davidson during the trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. He testified about the wounds sustained by Shakur and argued that she could not have shot from the crouching position due to her wounds from the shootout.
A newspaper article from Daily News about the testimony of defense witness Dr. David Spain during the trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. He testified about the wounds she sustained, arguing that she couldn’t have shot from a crouching position due to the position of her wounds from the shootout.
A handmade flier with a picture of prisoners behind bars. The pictures of Herman Bell, Albert Washington, and Anthony Bottom have been blacked out. The three men, known as the New York 3, were Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army (BLA) members who were arrested and convicted of the May 21, 1971, killing of two police officers in Harlem.
A Collection of Republic of New Africa Documents intended to persuade the United Nations to recognize the Republic of New Africa (RNA). The RNA was founded in 1968 as a Black nationalist and Black separatist movement. The documents include maps of the RNA, a memorandum to the United Nations, and a letter to President Gerald Ford.
A collection of The Republic of New Afrika documents: a memo titled “Now We Have a Nation!” explaining the necessity of a new nation for Black people in the United States; The New Afrikan Creed, a 15 point list of beliefs of the Republic of New Afrika; and a rewriting of the Declaration of Independence for the Republic of New Afrika.
A letter to New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller on behalf of Cornelius Butler and Lawrence Hayes, who were being tried for murder. The men were convicted to the death penalty on April 11, 1972, for their role in the hold-up of a convenience store and the murder of a police officer. Supporters contend that neither of the men fired the shots.
Frankye Adams Johnson (Malika) writes this letter to her supporters outlining the criminal charges she is facing in 1980 stemming from a 1974 arrest. She is asking for any support that may be given to her during this time.
A newspaper article from The Star Ledger about evidence in the trial of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. Prosecution witnesses showed that blood found on the clothes of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) matched the rare AB blood type of the slain state trooper.
A newspaper article from The Star Ledger about the 15 sequestered jurors in the Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper being given a media blackout after the seizure of three buildings in Washington, D.C. by the Hanafi Muslim sect to avoid possible prejudice against Shakur, a professed Muslim.
A letter from the Panther 21 to New York State Supreme Court Justice John M. Murtagh. The Panther 21 was a group of Black Panthers who were on trial for alleged bombing attacks against three police stations in New York City in 1969. The letter is an indictment of the American justice system where the 21 Black Panthers find themselves on trial.
A paper by Albert Nuh Washington (Nuh Abdul Qaiyum) arguing that America's foreign policy serves the larger function of the subjugation of non-white people in the United States. Nuh Abdul Qaiyum was sentenced to prison in 1975 for a 1971 Black Liberation Army (BLA) connected shooting of police officers in New York,
A paper by a team of Black prisoners who experienced behavior modification in prison. In this paper they argue that Black prisoners being given behavior modification is a form of genocide against Black people. The paper was presented for consideration by the Research Committee on International Law and Black Freedom Fighters in the United States.
A paper by Dr. Mutulu Shakur that argues the existence of political prisoners reveals the violations of human rights perpetuated by the United States government against Black people. Dr. Shakur wrote this from prison, where he was serving a 60 year sentence for his role in a Black Liberation Army (BLA) led robbery in 1981.
A paper by a student in Frankye Adams-Johnson (Malika)'s English 101 class about the history of the Black Panther Party. The author argues that the members of the Black Panther Party were not born revolutionaries, but were forced into this mind set by the oppressive ways of American society and deemed all of their actions necessary for liberation.
A paper by Dr. Mutulu Shakur arguing that the Black nation in the imperialistic United States is a captive nation and thus must look at the situation and solutions through the lens of international law. Dr. Shakur wrote this from prison, where he was serving a 60 year sentence for his role in a Black Liberation Army (BLA) led robbery in 1981.
A cover photograph from the Court News Section of the newspaper The Home News featuring members of the defense team for Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) who was on trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. Shakur was convicted in 1977 of killing the state trooper during a shootout, escaped prison in 1979, and is still wanted by the FBI.
A poem by Ndugu Al-Jamil titled “Build the Resistance!!!” The cover page features the silhouette of an armed man appearing ready for combat. The poem is a call to arms for revolutionaries that outlines the problems facing the community such as police brutality, taxes, eviction, health care, education, and more.
A rough draft of greetings to be given to people attending a Black Liberation Army (BLA) rally, with edits by an unknown person. The greetings outline the history and tenets of the BLA. “Communique #17” and “To All Oppressed Third World People of This Present Day Babylon, Amerikka. Greetings” on the top of page 1 were both crossed out.
An essay encouraging Black members of the military to turn their weapons on their racist officers and come home with as many weapons as possible, like machine guns and grenades, for the liberation struggle. The author also suggests that the Black military members destroy machinery such as planes, tanks, helicopters, and ammunition dumps.
A letter to Jacqueline Foster, whose husband was recently killed in the line of duty as a police officer. The author writes that the officer, even though he was Black, was fighting on the side of the “racist, capitolistic (sic) establishment” and therefore his death was not a tragedy but “it was indeed a victory for the people.”
Cornett's work shows Stokely Carmichael with angelic features amidst raised hands. He was a key civil rights activist, a leader of the SNCC, and popularized the term "Black Power." He spoke at Texas Southern one month prior to the TSU Invasion, when Houston police invaded the campus, fired 5,000 rounds into dormitories, and arrested 488 students.
A newspaper article from The Home News about a day long juryless court session where defense lawyers made numerous motions to dismiss the indictments against Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) who was on trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. The judge rejected these motions and the attorneys are scheduled to call witnesses that day.
A newspaper article from Daily News about Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) being in New Jersey to stand trial for the May 1973 killing of a state trooper. Shakur was convicted in 1977 of killing the state trooper during a shootout, escaped prison in 1979, and is still wanted by the FBI.
A newspaper article from The Star Ledger about the defense team for Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard), who was on trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper, opening their case by calling for dismissal of the murder charge on the grounds that she cannot be convicted since Clark Squire has already been convicted of the killing.
A directive from the Black Liberation Army (BLA) calling Black people in the United States to organize against the white power complex. The author writes that the end of the American empire is near and that the BLA will aid any programs that are for Black people, by Black people, including forcing corporations to contribute goods to the cause.
A memo from the Black Liberation Army (BLA) eulogizing Kakoonya Olugbala (Twymon Myers) who gave his life to the struggle against oppression. He was killed in a shootout with New York Police and FBI agents on November 14, 1973, after a long manhunt (he was on the FBI’s most wanted list) because of his involvement with previous police shootings.
A memo from the Black Liberation Army (BLA) to the Guardians Association. The memo explains the BLA's stance on killing police and pleads with Black police officers to no longer side with their white counterparts. The Guardian’s Association is a fraternal organization primarily composed of Black law enforcement officers.
Volume 1 of The Black Panther Party Jamaica Bulletin from Jamaica Queens, NY, February 28, 1969. Included in the bulletin are a political cartoon titled "The Pig Must Go"; an article titled "Panthers Harassed by F.B.I."; and an abridged version of Black Panther Party Ten Point Program.
A press release from the Black Panther Party Central Headquarters in New York City about recent acts of police brutality and the response of the Black Liberation Army (BLA). The author writes that the recent assassinations of New York police officers is a direct response to the amount of police brutality that goes unnoticed and unpunished.
A three page handout given to members of the Black Panther Party. The sections are: Three Main Rules of Discipline; The Eight Points of Attention; Ten Point Program and Platform; and Rules of the Black Panther Party.
