Free Huey

“Free Huey” was the slogan used by the Black Panther Party and other radical organizations to rally around Huey Newton’s arrest for the murder of an Oakland police officer in 1968. The actual events leading up to Newton’s arrest were manipulated by both the press and the Black Panthers; however, Newton’s image became an icon used to remind people of enforcement tactics used by the police. For a time, he represented the troubles of an entire race. Newton was found guilty on September 8, 1968, but did not face the death penalty, only significant time in prison.