The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE

 


Contact: Laurie Mellas, 505-277-5915

Jan. 10, 2006

Black Panther Party to Mark 40th Anniversary at University of New Mexico

The Huey P. Newton Foundation, honoring the legacy of the Black Panther Party, and the University of New Mexico African American Studies Program, will mark the 40 th anniversary of the Black Panther Party Feb. 16-21.

An unprecedented slate of speakers and special guests, including a host of former Black Panthers, are scheduled to visit the Albuquerque campus. Elaine Brown, the only woman to chair the party, will be guest speaker for the Black History Month Kickoff Brunch Saturday, Jan. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the UNM Student Union Building ballroom. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 students and $20 for youth.

The five-day event in February is the centerpiece of UNM's annual Black History Month celebration. All programs and events are open to the public, most are free. With the exception of performances in the UNM Center for the Arts/Keller Hall, and a book launch at the UNM Bookstore, all events will be held in UNM's SUB. Click here for schedule, ticket prices and detailed information.

A series of panel discussions, a book signing, lectures and formal benefit gala are planned. Participants include David Hilliard, who was a founding member of the Black Panther Party and served as its chief of staff, and Fredrika Newton, Black Panther Party member and wife of the late Huey P. Newton, along with former Black Panther Party members Ericka Huggins, director of the BPP school (The Oakland Learning Center) and Billy (Che) Brooks, who served as deputy minister of education for the Chicago chapter.

Hilliard, Brooks and film artists will host a film festival dedicated to the history and legacy of the party. The Black Panther F.U.G.I.T.I.V.E.S. and Thomas Mapfumo will perform. Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement, and Mark Rudd, co-founder of the Weather Underground, will join Hilliard to discuss resistance movements of the 1960s and 70s.

The UNM Bookstore will serve as the launch site for the anticipated release of “Huey: Spirit of the Panther (Thunder's Mouth Press, 2006).” Hilliard, a co-author, and Newton, will be present to sign copies of this and other books. For more information and event tickets, call the UNM African American Studies Department, 505-277-5644, or email afamstds@unm.edu or coleman@unm.edu , or visit http://www.unm.edu/~afamstds/history.htm .

 


The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.

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