Houston: Black Panther revolutionary honored

Houston — Black Panthers, along with other activists who knew and loved Carl Hampton, held a memorial for him at his grave in Golden Gate Cemetery here on July 25. Carl Hampton was organizing for the Black Panther Party when he was ambushed and assassinated by Houston police on July 26, 1970.

This year, as has been done every year since his death, the remaining Panthers clean Hampton’s gravestone, bring photos, flags, banners and Panther memorabilia and invite activists to the cemetery. They organize a touching remembrance of this revolutionary who was shaping and politicizing the left movement in Houston from 1969 to 1970.

This year was special, as a number of youths who weren’t even born when Hampton was planning to open a chapter of the Black Panther Party in Houston attended and learned about his short but important life.

John “Bunchy” Crear has spearheaded the event for decades. As he chaired the gathering, Bunchy spoke about Hampton’s dedication to Panther principles and his organizing work in the community. Crear related how Hampton would meet young people wherever he was and talk to them about life in this racist and capitalist society. He’d invite them to his place and share his books by Karl Marx, Mao Zedong and Franz Fanon, anti-colonialist and author of the classic work, “The Wretched of the Earth,” with them.

After Hampton’s murder, James Aaron became the chair of Peoples Party II, which was the name of the pre-Panther formation. At that time, the Panthers had put a hold on forming new chapters for a period due to the Party’s rapid growth. Hampton said that since the Panthers were the number one party of the people, he would call his group Peoples Party II.

Standing in front of the gravestone, Aaron looked at it and said: “I can’t cry for Carl, no, because he knew what he was doing, knew he was putting his life on the line. And that’s what he did. He was ready to die for his service to the community.” 

Ruby White said she “was angry when I heard the cops had killed Carl, so I went down there that night and right then and there I decided to join the Party. I love the Party and all the comrades still alive today and those who have died. I have no regrets about the Party, and I would do it all over again.”

There was a community reception at Sweet Minds Books & Baked Goods & Frenchtown Fine Art Gallery, with live music, food and camaraderie for all ages.