Fred Hampton
Fred Allen Hampton 1948 - 1969
Fred Hampton was a revolutionary and a Civil Rights hero. A child of Chicago, Hampton was a childhood friend of Emmitt Till. Growing up in Chicago with its segregation and discrimination and aware of Till’s murder, Hampton was familiar with racial injustice at a young age.
Hampton joined the Black Panther Party and used his NAACP organizing experience to establish an Illinois chapter in Chicago. Using the foundation of the Black Panther Party’s 10-Point program as a framework, Hampton created a community service project that served hundreds of Chicago residents daily. To say Hampton worked tirelessly for the people would be an understatement.
The Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party offered several services including free busing for residents seeking to visit incarcerated family and friends, day centers, clothing banks, and ambulance services.
Hampton is best known for his ability to build relationships with community members of high influence. This was most notable when Hampton convinced Chicago’s powerful street gangs to agree to a non aggression pact and form a community serving alliance. Instead of separate, rival gangs, Hampton was able to form the Rainbow Coalition. The coalition represented and brought together individuals across class, race, and culture.
“You have to understand
that people have to pay
the price for peace.
If you dare to struggle,
You dare to win.
If you dare not struggle then
God damn-it you don’t deserve to win.
Let me say peace to you
if you’re willing to fight for it.”
Chairman Fred Hampton’s life was cut short when he was assassinated by the U.S. Government. Hampton was a unifying figure. His ideals, effective community organizing, and influence were all perceived as a threat to the oppressive status quo, which made Hampton a threat in the eyes of the FBI.
