Were the Black Panthers a terrorist organization

Sorry for the late response: "The incident you speak of was lead by Eldridge Cleaver. He cannot be solely responsible for the BPP being labeled as a Terrorist organization." Actions speak louder than words. As my opponent describes this situation, it is where "Cleaver lead a group of Panthers to a group of cops and began a shoot out. " My opponent goes on to say that this was no way for the Black Panthers to act."Cleaver helped found the Black Panthers, a militant, leftist, anti-establishment black nationalist group based in Oakland, California. Cleaver became its information minister, or spokesman. In addition to its revolutionary rhetoric, the Panthers operated social programs for the African-American community. "At that time, it was inspirational for us here in the South to see a group like that out in Oakland providing breakfasts, providing shelter for the needy," said Tobe Johnson, a professor at Morehouse College in Atlanta. "He could be thought of as a hero"http://www.cnn.com... He could be thought of as a hero, and he helped found the Black Panthers. He also had a very politically active career. He also switched to the GOP, and ran as for senator. He influenced a lot of the decisions made my the Black Panthers, and also was very powerful in that party. He also was no idiot, because he had a very long history of speeches, and movements he joined. He was a Black Panther Leader. To say Cleaver was not a true Panther is true to an extent. He was a true panther, because he helped create the organization. Once, he got arrested, his views changed and became more radical. Cleaver was either way an influential leader of The Black Panthers who commited acts dangerous to human life that violate federal or state law; My opponent would have to argue that it is legal to shoot a cop, even if you believe that the particular cop was committing an illegal act. There would have to be a separate trial that would convict the cop, and plead him guilty. Con might try to argue that during those times it was impossible for them to do that. First of all, that would just give more publicity and support of Cleaver tried to bring this to court which he could with his influence. The cop already was announced to be guilty in a trial a few years later. This proves that a Black Panther leader dead commit domestic terrorism. Actions speak louder than words. Con can say that The Black Panthers do not permit such things, but no organization will openly say we are going to actively kill cops, and intimidate civilian populations. Again, Actions speak louder than words. "The whole reason that the BPP entered the California legislature was of course to protest legislation that was created only to limit their ability to protect themselves from police brutality. Simply because someone feels intimidated of another"s constitutional rights does not constitute terrorism." My opponent again does not deny that 30 armed Black Panther members entered California legislature to protest. 30 armed members tried to frighten or overawe (California Legislature), especially in order to make them do what one wants: This is the definition of intimidation(Oxford Dictionaries). One cannot deny this, and how the people in the legislature can interpret this. The people in the legislature perspective(An angry black nationalist group has came in here with guns to protest. They have also evidently killed cops). With a reputation the Panthers had, it is completely acceptable to feel as though they are being intimidated. This is also a sign of domestic terrorism. Another Example: "Protest at the Statehouse Awareness of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense grew rapidly after their May 2, 1967, protest at the California State Assembly. On May 2, 1967, the California State Assembly Committee on Criminal Procedure was scheduled to convene to discuss what was known as the "Mulford Act", which would make the public carrying of loaded firearms illegal. Eldridge Cleaver and Newton put together a plan to send a group of 26 armed Panthers led by Seale from Oakland to Sacramento to protest the bill. The group entered the assembly carrying their weapons, an incident which was widely publicized, and which prompted police to arrest Seale and five others. The group pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of disrupting a legislative session" The Black Panthers were guilty in this scenario for disrupting a legislative session. "Huey Newton charged with murdering John Frey On October 28, 1967,[60] Oakland police officer John Frey was shot to death in an altercation with Huey P. Newton during a traffic stop. In the stop, Newton and backup officer Herbert Heanes also suffered gunshot wounds. Newton was convicted of voluntary manslaughter at trial, but the conviction was later overturned. In his book Shadow of the Panther, writer Hugh Pearson alleges that Newton, while intoxicated in the hours before he was shot and killed, claimed to have willfully killed John Frey" This is an example of the Black Panthers being involved in dangerous acts that violate state and federal law. https://en.wikipedia.org... Additional facts that also prove how there radical ideas have incited The New Black Panther Party to be even more extreme. The New Black Panther Party has been cited to be inspired by what the original Black Panthers did. New Black Panther Party: -Black Panther Party proclaims the idea of killing white babies by bombing nurseries. http://www.examiner.com... -Black Panther leader has been arrested for possession of illegal guns. He had a tattoo on him saying Kill Whitey. dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2346713/Leader-Black-Panthers-sports-tattoo-reading-Kill-Whitey-cheek-arrested-carrying-unlicensed-loaded-weapon-wearing-bullet-proof-vest.html Just two examples can give you an idea of how violent and radical this group is. But, they claim that they are inspired by The Black Panthers. This is probably due to The Black Panther's projection of Black Power, and there hateful rhetoric. Either way, I have proven that the Black Panthers have indeed committed Domestic Terrorism. Con has just provided there perspectives on why they have done this, yet still cannot disprove the reality that The Black Panthers committed acts dangerous to human life that violate federal or state law; Appear intended (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion;