Black History Month: The Revolutionary Minds That Molded and Led The Black Panther Party
David Hillard
As one of the earlier members of the Panther Party, Hillard served as the chief of staff but took over command of the party when Huey Newton was arrested in September 1968. In December 1969, Hillard was arrested and charged with threatening the life of President Richard Nixon when he was accused of saying at a meeting, “we will kill Nixon.” He was sentenced to prison for six months.
Hillard was involved in the shootout with Oakland police that killed Bobby Hutton, for which, he was charged with shooting at police, found guilty in 1971 and received a one to ten year prison term.
He is the author of the book, This Side of Glory, a personal narrative and an eyewitness account of the Black Panthers. Hillard is known as a vibrant speaker on racial divisions in America today.
