The Assassination of Fred Hampton: How the FBI and the Chicago Police Murdered a Black Panther
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The Assassination of Fred Hampton: How the FBI and the Chicago Police Murdered a Black Panther

4.27 of 5 stars 4.27  ·  rating details  ·  49 ratings  ·  14 reviews
It’s around 7:00 A.M. on December 4, 1969, and attorney Jeff Haas is in a police lockup in Chicago, interviewing Fred Hampton’s fiancée. She is describing how the police pulled her from the room as Fred lay unconscious on their bed. She heard one officer say, “He’s still alive.” She then heard two shots. A second officer said, “He’s good and dead now.” She looks at Jeff an...more
Hardcover, 424 pages
Published November 1st 2009 by Lawrence Hill Books
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Ernesto Aguilar
Among some circles, Fred Hampton is a luminary without peers. Though new generations may only catch his reference in a song, his legacy in Chicago and to the Black liberation movement is without question. The charismatic Black Panther Party chapter leader demonstrated a natural gift for reaching people, and marshaled young people into political action for the first time. His brutal murder — in which Chicago police, after wounding him as he slept, delivered two rounds to the head, killing him — h...more
Carrie
Carrie rated it 4 of 5 stars
This book is a very valuable first-hand account of some of the legal aftermath of Fred Hampton's assassination. The author was a lawyer for the Black Panthers, and explains in detail the appalling miscarriages of justice that occurred every step of the way in the lawsuit brought by the survivors of the police raid during which Fred Hampton was killed. For example, he describes how, after he (the author) frustratedly stated in court that all they want is a fair trial but it looks like they're n...more
Jim
Jim rated it 5 of 5 stars
One of the most important stories of the 1960's was the program developed by the FBI to target and "neutralize" charismatic Black leaders. This is not a story that has gotten sufficient attention, and is never mentioned in the seemingly endless nostalgia stories of the Sixties.

Fred Hampton fit the FBI profile, was targeted and after an unsuccessful attempt at getting a Black gang leader to kill Hampton, the FBI assisted the Chicago police department in assassinating Hampton...more
Brian
Brian rated it 4 of 5 stars
Shelves: good
At times the author's style can be a bit off-putting, he tends to sensationalize things, particularly dialogue, in a style that conflicts with the presentation of impartial evidence and facts. The evidence is strong enough to stand on its own without his qualifications, but otherwise the book provides great insight into Fred Hampton's murder. The peak of my annoyance with his style came with the pun "testilied" but overall the truth of the story is compelling enough to keep the pages t...more
Jose
Jose marked it as to-read
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/12/4/th...

"Today [12/4/09:] marks the fortieth anniversary of the death of Black Panther leader Fred Hampton. On December 4th, 1969, Chicago police raided Fred Hampton’s apartment and shot and killed him in his bed. He was just twenty-one years old. Black Panther leader Mark Clark was also killed in the raid. While authorities claimed the Panthers had opened fire on the police who were there to serve a search warrant for weapons, evidence later em...more
Andi
Andi added it
Shelves: review
This book was absolutely touching and inspiring. It portrays who the real pigs are and why they wanted to silence a young and up-and-coming revolutionary leader.
Jason
Jason rated it 3 of 5 stars
"Free The Carbondale Six!
And Our Defense Minister from Peoria!"
Chet
Chet rated it 5 of 5 stars
As good a read as a Grisham novel, but based on a real event.
Greg
Greg rated it 3 of 5 stars
This book has a back cover blurb from Bill Ayers -- alert Glenn Beck!
Crystal Belle
a great investigation into the death of fred hampton. everything is exposed, including COINTELPRO goverment documents to interviews with members of the black panther party during fred's death. fred hampton did so much before he died at the young age of 21. if you are interested in learning more about the law and the corruption behind the US government when it came to black organizations during the civil rights era, READ THIS!
UChicagoLaw
True story that chronicles the murder of Black Panthers Fred Hampton and Mark Clark by the FBI and Chicago police. The book is written by a U of C law alum whose work has inspired a generation of lawyers dedicated to working for social change. - Craig Futterman
Eboni
Eboni rated it 4 of 5 stars
Good to read this story from a legal standpoint. Lots of facts and evidence that is often overlooked when this moment in history is revisited...
Rai
Rai rated it 4 of 5 stars
Shelves: history, biograph
really good so far.
Craig
Craig rated it 4 of 5 stars
I'm so proud of the author, his partners, and the victims and family members who never gave up the fight to uncover the truth. I think it's important to note that the government never seems to take note of anyone unless s/he turns out to be a charismatic leader bringing up the subject of class inequity. In this case, the FBI had a man killed for feeding breakfast to kids who couldn't afford it otherwise. We have to remember Fred's assertion that you can kill the revolutionary, but you can't k...more
Jesse Taylor
Jesse Taylor marked it as to-read
Nikki
Nikki marked it as to-read
Justin
Justin rated it 4 of 5 stars
Charity
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Colette
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James Yates
James Yates marked it as to-read
Libertin
Libertin marked it as to-read  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: history
Evan
Evan rated it 3 of 5 stars
Ajani
Ajani rated it 5 of 5 stars
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The Assassination of Fred Hampton: How the FBI and the Chicago Police Murdered a Black Panther (Paperback)
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Attorney Jeff Haas has spent his career working for justice. In 1969 he and three other lawyers set up the Peoples Law Office, whose clients included the Black Panthers, SDS, and other political activists. Haas went on to handle cases involving prisoners rights, police torture, and the wrongfully accused. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his wife and children and continues to represent victi...more
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