The BPP 35th Year Anniversary started out with a big bang with many comrades being registered and greeting one another. Registration continued throughout the day. Prior radio appearances and press releases were effective in bringing out local people to view the photo and historical displays. The photo exhibit included more than one hundred pieces. Many comrades also brought their own personal pictures to share with each other.

Many media people showed up the first day and throughout the conference, including CNN, BET, C-SPAN, Washington Post, Washington Times, Chicago Tribune, the Independent Media Center, UPI and others. Many comrades gave interviews and talked about their particular chapters.

About 350 former Panthers attended the conference, as well as many community workers and supporters. Throughout the 3- day event, more than 600 people came through to watch the videos, visit the displays or get information.

Thursday's program began with the movie "The Murder of Fred Hampton" presented by Akua Njeri and Fred Hampton, Jr. They spoke about their experiences and Fred Jr. recited his poem, "Murder on Monroe St." which appears in the program booklet. There were workshops being presented throughout the afternoon dealing with Police Brutality, Reparations and Economic Development in the Community. The evening program, MC'd by Sister Sheba, who did a great job throughout the conference, began with libations by Frank Kellum and Rori Abernethy. The film "American Exile" which follows the lives of Pete and Charlotte O'Neal from Kansas City into exile in Tanzania, and the many programs they have developed there, was a big hit with the many comrades who had not been aware of Pete and Charlotte's activities for the last 30 years. Entertainment was provided by Born Infinite, a local conscious rap artist. Finally, the evening concluded with a panel on Reparations, facilitated by Dorothy Lewis - co- president of N-COBRA, Sam Anderson from the Black Radical Congress and Kwaku Duren of the New Panther Vanguard Movement International.

Friday's focus was on Political Prisoners with many workshops held throughout the day. The evening panel included representatives from various defense committees. Robert King Wilkerson reminded us that April 18 marked 30 years in solitary confinement for the remaining Angola 3 prisoners, Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox. He read a letter from Herman and Albert which received a standing ovation from the conference attendees. Nzinga Conway moderated the panel and spoke on behalf of her husband, Marshall Eddie Conway, whose attorney Bob Boyle also spoke. Khalid Rahim and Kareem Howard from Pittsburg spoke on behalf of the Philly 5. Tariq Al-Amin from Nebraska spoke on behalf of Rice and Poindexter, Althea Francois and Robert King Wilkerson spoke on the Angola 3 and Pam Africa wrapped up the evening with a fiery speech in support of Mumia.

"Sooner or Later Someone is Going to Fight Back", a video by Brice White, following the police raids on the New Orleans BPP office was introduced by Shana Griffin and entertainment was provided by Truth Universal, a conscious rap group from New Orleans.

Saturday began with a panel on COINTELPRO with many people providing testimony regarding their own personal experiences. The Panel was facilitated by Safiya Bukhari from New York. Workshops and film showings continued throughout the day and many people continued to view the historical displays.

Bobby Seale spoke at the closing session regarding "Where do we go from here?" He discussed ways for us to return to our communities and provide mentoring and organizational skills.

Many of us celebrated Saturday evening at a buffet dinner and enjoyed the live music and the chance to socialize and network one last time.

The It's About Time Committee, who sponsored the event, recognizes the historical significance of our East and West Coast comrades coming together for the first time in many years and overcoming the divisive tactics of COINTELPRO. This is the beginning of the opportunity to continue to work together in solidarity, especially to free our political prisoners. There were many contacts made across the country for future networking.

Several other special events with a very positive response were the meetings of the Panther Women, and the Children of Panthers who held their own workshops. The Panther Youth are planning a reunion of their own. Father Earl Neil also hosted a Healing Workshop for former BPP members.

For the first time, a dialogue was established between BPP members and members of the New Black Panther Party, many of whom attended a workshop facilitated by JoNina Abron and Ron Scott to discuss the BPP Legacy. The many differences in ideology were addressed and lines of communication opened.

Overall, the Conference provided a great opportunity for people to gather information on the Legacy of the Black Panther Party presented by BPP members. We recognize the importance of preserving this history and telling our stories. It's About Time has begun to develop an Archives of BPP historical photos, posters, newspapers and other documents in the hopes of eventually having a traveling exhibit and a permanent museum.

Our next project will be a Black Panther Party Video Festival to be held in October 2002 in Oakland, CA. Further information will be forthcoming on our website: itsabouttimebpp.com

It's About Time is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Tax- deductible contributions can be made to our Archives, Newspaper or Books Behind Bars, a program which sends progressive literature to prisoners around the country. Contributions can be made to It's About Time, PO Box 221100, Sacramento, CA 95822 Phone - (916) 455-0908