Afeni Shakur and the trial of the Black Panther 21. Director Q&A

This event is organised by Black History Walks as part of 60 Years Since 1965 the first ever Race Relations Act, and 20 years of the African Odysseys film series

The untold inspiring story of Afeni Shakur, one black woman pregnant with the rap star Tupac, charged with 156 acts of terrorism with no lawyer or legal training fought her corner to be found NOT GUILTY on every charge. Watch trailer HERE

This screening of the multi-award winning independent film by Ray Barron-Woolford includes extended Q&A with director.

Basic outline

On April 2, 1969, 21 members of the Harlem Chapter of the Black Panther Party were formally indicted and charged with 156 counts of “conspiracy” to blow up subway and police stations, five local department stores, six railroads and the Bronx-based New York Botanical Garden.

By the early morning hours of April 2, mass sweeps were conducted citywide by combat squads of armed police. Law enforcement agencies, ranging from the CIA, FBI and U.S. Marshals to the New York State Police, worked simultaneously to coordinate assaults on Panther homes and community-based offices. After the raids, 10 Panther men and two Panther women were formally arrested, processed and quickly jailed.

In a grueling and tedious trial, Afeni Shakur (facing 300 years of prison time) daringly chose to be her own attorney in court, partly because financial resources were already razor-thin.

Despite the odds, after all the surveillance, warrantless wiretapping, infiltration and frame-ups, not one shred of state’s evidence stood up in court. In their undying efforts to “discredit,” it was revealed during the trial that the FBI had actually planted undercover infiltrators who, under oath, admitted their role as provocateurs.

Though the case of the Panther 21 was the longest trial in New York state history, on her own guts and wit, Afeni Shakur successfully secured her freedom. No money. No attorney. No privilege. Pregnant with her second child, Tupac Amaru Shakur. What Afeni was able to do in that courtroom was nothing short of miraculous.

Source: https://www.workers.org/2016/05/25321/?fbclid=IwAR3RG_BnV1JvAm2ArkFZmUexKcpOmpa8VTGWnkH972wh0O7eiNz0Ya3v6VU

About African Odysseys

The volunteer-run, African Odysseys film programme screens educational, popular, anti-racist, films with Q&A's . It regularly filled the BFI Southbank 450 seater at 2pm on Saturdays when cinemas are typically 'dead'.The British Film Institute refused to answer 8 simple questions or meet the volunteers, then cancelled the programme so they could 'cut costs and promote diversity' HERE

African Odysseys continues to show films across London as can be seen HERE

• Sign petition to save African Odysseys and Black film history at BFI Southbank HERE

Other coming events www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk HERE

• Black History Steam train tour
• Black History Bus Tour/ River Cruise
• Teaching Black history in Chinese universities: Professor Deidre Osborne
• Hackney, Mayfair, St Paul'/Bank, Theatreland and Soho Black History Walks
• African Odysseys, Racism in Academia and @BFI Southbank
• Ismahil Blagrove season of films and books
• Frantz Fanon weekender
• 60 years of Black British Civil Rights, racism @BFI with Professor Gus John
• Kung Fu and anti-racist street fighters with Professor Lez Henry
• World Wars and Black soldiers. African Odysseys @BFI with Professor Patrick Vernon
• 60 years of Black history Success Stories 1-20