Use of Violence
Application to the Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party, Source: Schaefer
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Although party founder Bobby Seale frequently stated that violence was a last resort, the Black Panther Party became vastly associated with violence as it developed. The Party heavily relied on their Second Amendment rights, describing themselves as holding both the police and the public accountable by constantly carrying weapons.
Though originally these firearms were intended to intimidate, actual violence became more and more prevalent over the course of the party's existence. Originally violence occurred primarily in conflicts with police officers, leading to the frequent imprisonment of party members, the violence later began to be interparty. Violence was used increasingly by party leaders such as Newton to control and manipulate supporters until the party's demise. |