Bobby Hutton Day 2003
This year's celebration of the life of Bobby Hutton was
great. Lil Bobby, as he was known by Party members, would
have been 53 years of age this year. Family, friends,
comrades, and interested people came out to the West
Oakland Library, across the street from DeFremery Park,
also known as Bobby Hutton Park, named after Bobby's death
in 1968.
In honoring Lil Bobby this year, It's About Time
sponsored a number of photo exhibits in the city of
Oakland. We also traveled to New Orleans, LA, to have
two exhibits in honor of the Angola 3. One exhibit was at
the Community Book Center and the other at the Critical
Resistance Conference.
Bobby Hutton Day began after 1:00 with libations
conducted by Frank Kellums. Next was Renee Guild, a
vocalist and songwriter who as a youth attended the
Community Learning Center. Her sweet voice was
outstanding. Bro. Robinson was also on the program,
displaying his tap dancing skills. Steve McCutchen
(Party Member) delivered a powerful message in his poetry
about the Party and Lil Bobby. The oral history
presentation by Joy Holland was fantastic. It covered
Black history in general as well as incorporating the
history of the Party and Lil Bobby.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was Sister
Tureeda, who worked at the George Jackson Clinic, doing
some of her poetry. She was accompanied by the multi-
talented Tarika Lewis, the first sister to join the
Party, on violin. Tarika plays with the legendary John
Handy.
The musical magic of Larry Robinson (One Man Band) was
great. Also known as Star Groove, Larry used to play for
the Lumpen, the Black Panther Party singing group. Bro.
Freeman, a former Panther, gave a powerful speech on the
legacy of the BPP and the different gangs that the Party
transformed. He had worked with Bunchy Carter in the
Southern California Chapter back in 1967.
The program also included guest speakers Kathleen
Cleaver, former Communications Secretary and Central
Committee member, and young Chairman Fred Hampton Jr.,
son of Fred Hampton who was murdered in his sleep by
police and FBI agents in 1969.
Richard Aoki, former Field Marshall of the BPP spoke
about his friendship with Bobby Hutton. Kathleen spoke
about how she came to meet and know Lil Bobby. She spoke
of his dedication and his love for the people and how
courageous he was for a young man of 16. She also spoke
to the fact that former members need to carry on the
legacy of the Party in today's world.
Young Fred called on the former members to reach out to the
young generation to teach them the skills and knowledge
that we were taught and carried out in the community.
Young Fred spoke of how he is carrying out the legacy of
the Party as well as of his father. Richard Aoki talked
about how bold and understanding Lil Bobby was and how he
became the treasurer of the BPP because everyone trusted
him. Hutton family members also took part in the
celebration.
It was a perfect day, nice and warm. Christine Saed, head
librarian, brought out a large cake with Happy Birthday
Bobby Hutton on it. Young Fred, Kathleen and Richard Aoki
all cut the cake and everyone sang Happy Birthday Lil
Bobby, Stevie Wonder style. The afternoon ended with Star
Groove playing "Got To Give It Up" by Marvin Gaye.
A number of Party members came out to celebrate including
Tim Thompson, Terry Cotton, Kiilu, Minister of Culture
Emory Douglas, David Johnson and Sundiata
Tate, former political prisoners and members of the San
Quentin Six.
There was a Free Clothing giveaway before the program
started which was well received by the community. The MC
of Bobby Hutton Day was Billy X.
It's About Time would like to thank the Commemorator
Newspaper staff for their help and Food Not Bombs for the
food. Thanks also to Jimmy Slater and Sam Brooks for
their helping hands and Terry Cotton for helping to get
the word out. A big thanks to Jeffrey Blankfort for
having Billy X on his radio program on KPOOL, "Connecting
the Dots." Thanks to Doug of Collision Course Video
Productions from San Francisco for documenting this event
Photo Gallery
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