Fred Hampton (1948-1969)

Hampton was a Black activist and deputy chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party.

He was only 21 years old when he was assassinated. The FBI and Chicago Police Department conspired to murder him because he challenged those in power. He was shot twice in the head.

Hampton was enrolled at Triton Junior College in River Grove, IL where he studied law to defend the Black community against police brutality. He graduated in 1966 with honors.

As a teenager he attended Proviso East High School in Maywood, IL and became the voice for his Black peers. He protested against activities that only allowed white students to participate in. The next year Black students were involved in all activities as their white counterparts.

Hampton joined the NAACP in 1967 and became the Youth Council Leader.

He also joined the Black Panthers in 1968 and was next in line as Black Panthers’ Chief of Staff before he was assassinated.

He told the Chicago Sun-Times before his death that he was “at war with the pigs.”

Over 5,000 people attended Hampton’s funeral. He was eulogized by Black leaders Jesse Jackson and Ralph Abernathy.

An aquatic center was name after Hampton “Fred Hampton Family Aquatic Center” in Maywood, Illinois.

In 1990 the Chicago City Council passed Dec. 4th as “Fred Hampton Day” to honor the leader.

Fred Hampton is part of our Black Rebel series for Black History Month.