The city of Chicago recently unveiled a new historical marker dedicated to the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party.
Held on Saturday, the marker was unveiled as part of a ceremony located at the former headquarters at 2350 W. Madison St. The ceremony was officiated by former Congressman Bobby L. Rush, who was previously the co-founder and former Minister of Defense of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party.
The newest plaque is the first of 12 historical markers set to be installed. All markers are expected to be installed by September. According to the Historical Preservation Society, bus tours of each site marking the history of the Black Panther Party will be held in conjunction with an October celebration during Black Panther Party History Month.
“I never would have even imagined that I would be here with each of you today back in 1968,” said Rush at the event per the Chicago Sun Times. “This is about those who dedicated their lives, their futures and their families to making the dream of the Black Panther Party a reality.”
The newest marker comes a month after a dedication ceremony was held t0 honor the Black Panther Party’s Free Breakfast for Children Program.
Created by Defense Captain Mark Clark on April 1, 1969, the program was part of the Better Boys Foundation and was a community service effort to give children nutritious meals before school. The plaque was sponsored by Illinois Humanities and was placed at 1512 S. Pulaski.
All markers are part of efforts to create a Heritage Trail for the Black Panthers’ Illinois chapter. Although many of the sites are either demolished or have not been upkept, the Heritage Trail will continue to mark these sites to celebrate Black Panther Party leaders such as Rush, Fred Hampton and Bob Lee.
The trail will also celebrate the programs they led from 1968 to 1974, specifically. Along with the Free Breakfast for Children program, initiatives include the Free Food Program, Sickle Cell Anemia Testing and the creation of the Spurgeon Jake Winters People’s Health Center.
The other sites set to receive historical markers as part of the trail include the South Side headquarters, the first South Side office house, the chapter headquarters, the location of the Panthers’ lawyers, the Church of the Holy Covenant and the Rainbow Coalition Organizing site.
The assassination site of Fred Hampton and Clark at 2337 W Monroe St will also be included.
