We Want Freedom!
The Origins and Legacy of the Original Rainbow Coalition:
The Black Panther Party, The Young Patriots Organization, and The Young Lords;
Rising Up Angry and others [1969-2016]

The 5th month in a 5 month series on Income Inequality in America—and fighting back against it!

Panel Discussion September 9, 730pm: The Rainbow Coalition then and now!

Billy Che Brooks (Illinois Black Panther Party – Deputy Minister of Education)

Brian Boyer (Former Sun Times Reporter, first press witness to Fred Hampton assassination in 1969)

Tamar Manasseh (M.A.S.K. [Mothers Against Senseless Killings])

Dr. Rob Brinkman (Young Patriots Community Health Service

Carlos Castro (Humboldt Park Community Activist)

Andy Willis (People’s Tribune)

and more!

Saturday and Sunday, October 1 and 2, the Uri-Eichen Gallery will host the Power to the People Film Festival, featuring documentaries about the Black Panthers, Young Patriots, Young Lords, Rising Up Angry and films of struggles to implement the BPP Ten Point Program. Films and screening schedule TBA

Closing Reception: October 7th, 6-10pm
Panel, 730pm

The closing night discussion will focus on criminal justice, its enforcers – the police, and how the US uses the system to maintain income inequality. Rainbow Coalition members will speak of their experiences with the Chicago Police Department and FBI, including the harassment, brutality and infiltration that plagued not only the political organizations but the communities they served. Other panelists will compare today’s movement to stop police violence with community control, citizen oversight or even abolition.

The Black Panther Party Ten Point Plan & Chicago’s Original Rainbow Coalition
[1968-1972]

In the period following the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy and the Democratic Convention protests, a coalition emerged among the Black Panthers, Young Lords, Young Patriots, Rising Up Angry. Labeled the Rainbow Coalition by Fred Hampton, Chairman of the IL Black Panther Party, these groups accepted the Panther’s assessment of social injustice and economic inequality and used the Panther’s “Ten Point Program” as a model in their own communities.

“We Want Freedom” will include photographs, posters, leaflets, buttons and newspapers.

A program of speakers, films and music will accompany the exhibit- look out for more details!

The show will have an emphasis on the Serve the People programs: Breakfast for Children, Free Legal Programs and Health Clinic: Featuring photographs, posters, leaflets and newspapers from the Black Panthers, Young Lords, Young Patriots, Rising Up Angry and others who accepted the Panther’s assessment of social and economic inequalities and used their “Ten Point Program” as a model in their own communities.

Rainbow Ephemera: A shelf of books the members of the Rainbow read, a loop of movie trailers of the films the Rainbow saw in theaters and a stack of vinyl records the Rainbow listened and danced to.

Official Website

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Tags: Chicago, Pilsen, Uri-Eichen Gallery, We Want Freedom!