How did COINTELPRO contribute to the decline of the BPP?

How did COINTELPRO contribute to the decline of the BPP?

See “FBI Pledges to Neutralize Black Nationalist Organizations”(652-Williams) and “FBI Expands Its Counterintelligence Program” (658)

.How did COINTELPRO contribute to the decline of the BPP? What does this program reveal about the role and tactics of the federal government?  

[Williams] Read “In the Name of the Law: The 1967 Shooting of Huey Newton and Law Enforcements‟ Permissive Environment” (660). According to Williams, what social programs did the BPP promote? What was the permissive environment that law enforcement, at the local and national levels, help to cultivate?

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The Black Panther Party was one of the most powerful opposition movements in the US that threatened the government’s smooth running. BPP had gained a huge following and mass media which made it stronger and yet it still finally collapsed. The downfall of this party was caused by many aspects but the COINTELPRO was the main reason. The Federal government introduced a counter-intelligence program, COINTELPRO, to control the activities of any groups that showed signs of rebellion (Churchill & Vander, 2002). BPP had more influence in the society and especially when it came to the black community. They mostly focused on political and social issues affecting their racial identities and that weakened the government as they identified the mistakes in leadership. The FBI is in charge of the COINTELPRO made sure to investigate all the activities conducted by the members of the BPP.

(659 words)