Black Panther Party National Historical Park Act

The Black Panther Party was an integral part of the civil rights movement and its history and influence is nationally significant.

The United States government has not provided a publicly accessible space to learn about the history of the Black Panther Party and their contributions to social progress nationwide.

National Park Service has the opportunity to engage with a large new audience and tell a more holistic history of the United States by interpreting the histories of people of color.

The Black Panther Party, originally called the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, was established in Oakland, California in 1966 by Huey P. Newton (Minister of Defense from 1966–1981) and Bobby Seale (Chairman of the Black Panther Party from 1966–1974), who met at Merritt College in Oakland. Oakland, California, was the home of the Black Panther Party, which came to include more than forty chapters around the United States and numerous others elsewhere in the world.

The Black Panther Party was founded in Oakland, California, to address systemic poverty and protect the Black community from police brutality. Although they intended on being a local organization, communities across the country were empowered by their message and services, leading to the establishment of over 40 chapters across the United States and many multi-racial and class coalitions.

DeFremery Park is perhaps Oakland’s best known site for many of the Black Panther Party’s free community programs, political demonstrations, rallies, and fundraisers. Panthers and community members continue to hold a myriad of programs and direct services at DeFremery Park to commemorate this legacy.

In 1973, the Black Panther Party established the Oakland Community School, an elementary school that took a holistic approach to education, centered around Black history, encouraged civic participation, fed students, and performed health screenings. California is now in the process of establishing “community schools” statewide.

Starting in 1968, the Black Panther Party established dozens of free medical clinics across the United States. Then through those clinics, in 1970 the Black Panther Party launched the first nationwide sickle cell anemia testing program, which directly influenced Congress’ decision to pass the National Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act of 1972.

In January 1969, the Black Panther Party created the first “Free Breakfast for School Children Program” in the Nation, eventually feeding hundreds of thousands of children across the United States and becoming a model for today’s Federal school breakfast program.

David Hilliard and Fredrika Newton established the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation to educate both the local community and visitors from around the world on the history and principles of the Black Panther Party and its co-founder Dr. Huey P. Newton.

The cities of Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond unanimously adopted resolutions urging the National Park Service to conduct a reconnaissance survey to determine the appropriateness of a National Park Service unit to recognize the historical significance and contributions of the Black Panther Party. The resolutions also urge President Biden to use the results of the survey to establish a National Park unit including a Visitors Center and Museum through the Antiquities Act. These are the first 3 cities in the United States to adopt such resolutions.

On February 17, 2021, Ninth Street at the intersection of Mandela Parkway in Oakland, California, was renamed after the Black Panther Party co-founder: Dr. Huey P. Newton Way.

On March 4, 2021, Congresswoman Barbara Lee requested the National Park Service launch a reconnaissance survey in regard to the Black Panther Party, especially with regard to the sites in and around Oakland, California, that would be suitable for National Historical Park designation.

On January 10, 2022, the bust of Dr. Huey P. Newton was unveiled at Dr. Huey P. Newton Way and Mandela Parkway, near the spot where Newton was murdered in 1989.

On July 19, 2022, Oakland City Council unanimously approved the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation to enter into a lease agreement with the City Administrator to establish the Black Panther Party Museum.

to preserve and protect for the benefit of present and future generations the nationally significant historic resources associated with the Black Panther Party;

to improve public understanding of the legacy of the Black Panther Party through interpretation of the historic resources associated with the Black Panther Party; and

to enhance public access to preserve and protect the historically significant resources associated with the Black Panther Party.

National historical park— The term National Historical Park means the Black Panther Party National Historical Park established by section 5(a)(1).

Map— The term Map means the map entitled ____, numbered __, and dated ____.

Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service.

Boundaries— The boundaries of the National Historical Park shall be the boundaries generally depicted on the Map.

Availability of map— The Map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

Other resources— The Secretary may include in the National Historical Park boundary any resources that are the subject of an agreement under subsection (g).

Boundary adjustment— On the acquisition of additional land or interests in land or on entering an agreement under subsection (g), the boundary of the National Historical Park shall be adjusted to reflect the acquisition or agreement by publishing a National Historical Park boundary map in the Federal Register. The map shall be available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

Land acquisition— The Secretary may acquire any land or interest in land located within the boundary of the National Historical Park, by—

Related sites— The Secretary may provide technical assistance, visitor services, interpretive tours, and educational programs to sites and resources associated with the purposes for which the National Historical Park is established.