get these nets
Veteran
Black Panther Way unveiled in Harlem
Aug 21, 2023
The grassroots community came out this past Sunday afternoon to witness the unveiling of the Black Panther Way street co-naming sign on the northwest corner of 122nd St. and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. It’s near where their Harlem headquarters were once located, at 2026 Seventh Ave., and Brother Shep said it serves as a symbol of Black self-determination and resistance against systematic colonialism and oppression dating back to the Black Power era. Several dozen veteran activists were present.
Claudia Chester-Williams opened the event by welcoming attendees to “this historic moment”, and Brother Bullwhip poured libations for “the fallen comrades we lost in the streets and also in the prison system.” Then Chester-Williams named some Panthers who came through that branch, including Zayd Shakur, Safiya Bukhari, Afeni Shakur, and Assata Shakur.
Sister Jasmin named some who were political P.O.W.s who transitioned in captivity.
New York State Senator Cordell Cleare presented a proclamation, and read, “I am justly proud to honor all distinguished members of the Black Panther’s Harlem branch on this occasion.”
Current Harlem City Council member Kristin Richardson Jordan urged: “When we’re organizers, activists, advocates, you can get anyone in any seat to do anything, if you’re organized. With people power all things are possible and that is the true power.”
Bullwhip asked all Panthers and Young Lord members who were present to stand and be accounted for. Then the same for Panther cubs and grandcubs. One can only wonder if Tupac were still alive, if he would’ve attendedʔ
Elected-activist, Charles Barron, called in and recalled living in the Lower East Side and frequently visiting the Harlem office after being recruited by Mark Holder and Tony Martin, and becoming politicized. He then said: “This is a glorious day, long overdue.”
Rosemary Nealy, the women’s liberator, recognized the Panther women: “We were at war and still. Standing tall on the shoulders of our ancestors and shared our love for our brothers and with our children.”
The Panthers advocated their 10 Point Program and provided food, healthcare, education and other needs to their communities by implementing African socialism.
Jamal Joseph, the original Panther baby, said, “the government unleashed total terror against us. It was because of that class struggle that we were building a united front against fascism.”
The Young Lords’ Felipe Luciano urged, “The Black Panther’s philosophy is going to be popular again when people get tired of getting shot at without doing anything in return. We have to fight back. Defend yourself.”
Several former Political P.O.W.s attended, including Sundiata Acoli and Tarik Haskins.
Shaba Om said: “I learned so much about myself and my people because of the Panthers.”
Brother Bilal said, “There were no offices in NYC. We used to meet in LIU. It was the Bronx and Harlem office.”
Upon the sign being unveiled the crowd erupted in repeated chants of “All Power to the people!”
