How did Cointelpro impact the East Coast BPP?
SB: Well, during this time the Panther 21 were on trial. A big part of the organizing was to make sure the courtroom was filled and money was there for their legal defense. The 21 were basically the leadership of the New York chapter of the party prior to them getting captured. They thought that by taking the leadership away they would destroy the New York chapter of the party. IH: So was the raid on the office? SB: No, on their homes. Simultaneously, all these people were arrested almost at the same time, during the early morning that day. IH: So this is a perfect example of Cointelpro-a systematic raid on everyone’s home, 21 people. SB: Actually, 1969 was a very bad year for the party. 1969 was the year Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were killed in Chicago. Also during this time Panther leaders Bobby Seale and Erica Huggins were arrested in New Haven, Conn. Huey Newton was already in jail and BPP Minister of Information Elridge Cleaver was forced into exile. There was like a command com
