29 Facts About Fred Hampton

Fred Hampton came to prominence in his late teens and early 20s in Chicago as deputy chairman of the national Black Panther Party and chair of the Illinois chapter.

Fred Hampton founded the anti-racist, anti-classist Rainbow Coalition, a prominent multicultural political organization that initially included the Black Panthers, Young Patriots, and the Young Lords, and an alliance among major Chicago street gangs to help them end infighting and work for social change.

In December 1969, Fred Hampton was drugged, then shot and killed in his bed during a predawn raid at his Chicago apartment by a tactical unit of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, who received aid from the Chicago Police Department and the FBI leading up to the attack.

Fred Hampton's parents had come from Louisiana as part of the Great Migration of African Americans in the early 20th century out of the South.

Fred Hampton graduated from Proviso East High School with honors and varsity letters, and a Junior Achievement Award, in 1966.

Shortly after, Fred Hampton urged not only peace in the Vietnam War, but North Vietnam's victory.

Fred Hampton became active in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and assumed leadership of its West Suburban Branch's Youth Council.

In 1968, Fred Hampton was accused of assaulting an ice cream truck driver, stealing $71 worth of ice cream bars, and giving them to kids in the street.

Fred Hampton was convicted in May 1969 and served time in prison.

Fred Hampton met the Young Lords in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood the day after they were in the news for occupying a police community workshop at the Chicago 18th District Police Station.

Fred Hampton was arrested twice with Jimenez at the Wicker Park Welfare Office, and both were charged with "mob action" at a peaceful picket of the office.

In May 1969, Fred Hampton called a press conference to announce that the coalition had formed.

Jeffrey Haas, who was Fred Hampton's lawyer, has praised some of Fred Hampton's politics and his success in unifying movements.

Fred Hampton rose quickly in the Black Panthers based on his organizing skills, oratorical gifts, and charisma.

Fred Hampton would have achieved this position had he not been killed.

Hoover believed the Panthers, Young Patriots, Young Lords, and similar radical coalitions that Fred Hampton forged in Chicago were a stepping stone to the rise of a revolution that could cause a radical change in the US government.

Fred Hampton met with the remaining BPP national hierarchy, who appointed him to the party's central committee.

Fred Hampton was to take the position of chief of staff and major spokesman.

O'Neal had slipped the secobarbital into a drink that Fred Hampton consumed during the dinner to sedate Fred Hampton so he would not awaken during the subsequent raid.

Fred Hampton, drugged by barbiturates, was sleeping on a mattress in the bedroom with Deborah Johnson who was eight and a half months pregnant with their child.

Police officers removed her from the room while Fred Hampton lay unconscious in bed.

Fred Hampton's body was dragged into the bedroom doorway and left in a pool of blood.

O'Neal, who had given the FBI the floor plan of the apartment and drugged Fred Hampton, later admitted his involvement in setting up the raid.

Fred Hampton said the four were selected from a group of candidates submitted to his office by groups and individuals representing both Chicago's black and white communities.

Fred Hampton was very close with Chicago Black Catholic priest George Clements, who served as his mentor and as a chaplain for the local Panther chapter.

Fred Hampton said that Chicago was worse off without Hampton:.

Fred Hampton talked about serving the community, talked about breakfast programs, educating the people, community control of police.

The Murder of Fred Hampton is a documentary shot from within the movement, released in 1971.

The film stars Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton and was directed by Shaka King.