revolutionary action movement (ram) - Michael Schwartz Library

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of the Black Panther Party to create constant confusion . The FBI learned
that Huey P . Newton had disciplined high BPP officials . The FBI believed
Huey's reaction was in part the result of its counter-intelligence operations
.
The FBI sent a barrage of letters to Cleaver, Newton and other leaders
The present chaotic situation within the BPP must be exploited
and recipients must maintain the present high level of counterintelligence
activity . You should each give this matter priority,
attention and immediately furnish Bureau recommendations
. . . designed to further aggravate the dissention within BPP
leadership and to fan the apparent distrust by Newton of anyone
who questions his wishes . 39
By February, 1971, the FBI
had directed each of its 20 field offices
to submit proposals of how to disrupt local BPP chapters and cause dissention
between local BPP chapters and BPP national headquarters . As a result
of the confusion caused by the FBI, on February 26, 1971, Eldridge Cleaver
called Huey Newton from Algiers, while Newton was on a T .V . program being
interviewed . Cleaver criticized the expulsion of BPP members and suggested
that Chief of Staff David Hilliard be removed from his post . Huey responded
by expelling Cleaver and the International
section of the party in
Algiers .
The FBI also attempted to "neutralize" the Black Panther Party by putting
pressure on its financial supporters . Actress Jane Fonda was targeted
for character assassination . Various actors and or their wives were victims
of the same types of tactics . The FBI considered the BPP's free "Breakfast
for Children" program a threat because it was winning support for the party
in various communities . The FBI zeroed in on anyone or companies, even
supporting the BPP Breakfast program .
39Supplementary Detailed Staff Reports on
the Rights of Americans, p . 205 .
Intelligence Activities and