Black Panther

Members of the Legislature: 0
Highest Office Won: None
Founded: 1966 in Oakland, CA

The Black Panther Party operated as an independent political organization, but ran it's candidates as members of the Peace and Freedom Party. Founded in 1966 by Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, the Black Panthers had similarities to the Berkeley Defense Group, another Alameda County-based party which conflicted with Governor Reagan.

The Black Panthers had several confrontations with the law, including an event in which a dozen members carried loaded weapons into the Assembly Chamber at the State Capitol. In 1968, Peace & Freedom Presidential nominee (and Black Panther member) Eldridge Cleaver was injured in a firefight with members of the Oakland Police Department.