Huey Newton
Photo of Huey Newton, Source: Seale
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Huey Newton was one of the founding members of the party, basing it from his believe that violence was a necessary catalyst in the civil rights moment.
Following the philosophy of "revolutionary humanism", Newton attempted to mold urban black men into activists and turn street violence into a political statement. Newton's ability to implement his social philosophies was often hindered by his frequent criminal activity, as he was in and out of prison for much of his life. One such incident, in which he was imprisoned for the alleged murder of a police officer, became a rallying point for the party, prompting an extensive "Free Huey" campaign until he was acquitted less than a year later. |