Childhood Home Of Fred Hampton Officially Designated As Historical Landmark

The family’s effort paid off on Tuesday when the Maywood Village Board in Chicago voted to recognize Hampton’s childhood home as a historical landmark. According to the Chicago Tribune, the initiative was inspired by Judas and the Black Messiah, the Academy Award-winning film about Hampton’s death.

The Black Panther leader was shot and killed when police raided his home. Fellow Black Panther member Mark Clark was also killed during the raid. Police said they were executing a search warrant to find weapons and explosives.

A federal grand jury said nearly 100 shots were fired through the walls, doors and windows. But only one shot appeared to have been fired by someone inside the residence.

The county’s top prosecutor was indicted on charges of obstruction of justice and later acquitted, along with an assistant and several officers who were at the scene. Evidence showed how the FBI incited Chicago police and other law enforcement agencies to engage in armed conflict with the Black Panthers. The city of Chicago, along with Cook County and the federal government, was ordered to pay $1.85 million to Hampton’s and Clark’s families.

Organizers of the Save The Hampton House initiative said Hampton’s home will be a place where the works of the Black Panther Party can be displayed.