“The Black Panther Party in Berkeley: An Archival Exhibit and 60th Anniversary Celebration” is on display at the Central Library in Berkeley. Curated by Billy X Jennings, a former Black Panther member and founder of “It’s About Time,” the Panther Alumni Committee and Archive.
Various cases show articles and memorabilia of the era. They remind us that this political movement also established programs such as free school lunches and free health clinics. Often, the Black Panthers are seen as Oakland-based, but, after the Oakland office was attacked by drunk police in 1968, Berkeley’s 3106 Shattuck Avenue served as their Central Headquarters. Also featured are Cec and Saul Levinson, white Berkeley activists who founded the Berkeley National Committee to Combat Fascism (NCCF), highlighting the multi-cultural ties of anti-fascists groups in the Bay Area.
The Black Panther Party in Berkeley: An Archival Exhibit and 60th Anniversary Celebration is on display until the end of May at the Central Library in Berkeley, 2090 Kittredge St., Berkeley, CA.
A brief history of the Black Panthers: https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/black-panther-party-berkeley