How This 22-Year-Old Woman Won The Historic Panther 21 Trial

Protesters
Via Wikimedia Commons
Zain Murdock
May 11, 2021

In 1969, New York’s District Attorney indicted 21 Harlem Black Panthers over a made-up conspiracy to bomb the entire city. In 1970, 22-year-old Afeni Shakur posted her $100,000 bail after community crowdfunding – but there was no money left over to hire an attorney. So she did it all herself!

Shakur did her own research and interviews leading up the trial. She was determined to free not only herself but her community! In the courtroom, she even conducted her own cross-examinations – and all of this while pregnant! How did it go?

None of the FBI’s evidence could be validated in court. The trial also revealed that the FBI had planted undercover infiltrators to provoke violence within the Panther Party! The infiltrators couldn’t lie under oath, and the judge made up his mind after only 45 minutes.

The judge looked out at the crowd and repeated “not guilty” – 156 times straight! Shakur couldn’t help but scream and cry with joy. Her work paid off! For herself, her people, and her son – who grew up to be Tupac Shakur.

 Afeni Shakur once said, “A true revolutionary is motivated by love.” Even her name, “Afeni,” means “lover of the people.” Because of her love for Black people, Shakur was committed to liberation by any means necessary - and won!

We have a quick favor to ask:

PushBlack is a nonprofit dedicated to raising up Black voices. We are a small team but we have an outsized impact:

  • We reach tens of millions of people with our BLACK NEWS & HISTORY STORIES every year.
  • We fight for CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM to protect our community.
  • We run VOTING CAMPAIGNS that reach over 10 million African-Americans across the country.

And as a nonprofit, we rely on small donations from subscribers like you.

With as little as $5 a month, you can help PushBlack raise up Black voices. It only takes a minute, so will you please ?

Share This Article: