On May 4, 1969, Fred Hampton, charismatic leader of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, delivered a stirring speech at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle. He emphasized the need for multi-racial class solidarity, radical social programs, and revolutionary consciousness. Hampton’s organizing skill drew attention from both supporters and the FBI, leading to his assassination later that year. His speech exemplified the powerful role of young Black leaders in mobilizing resistance and inspired movements from the U.S. to Africa to rethink how liberation could be achieved.
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