Black August Honors Political Prisoners Like George Jackson

The month of August is known as the last month of summer.

For the Black community, it’s a month about liberation and self-determination. On Aug. 21, 1971, Black Panther member George Jackson tried to escape from the San Quentin State Prison. When he was 18 years old in 1961, he was sentenced to one year to life for stealing $70 from a gas station.

While behind bars, Jackson was on his best behavior, as he was appointed a "field marshal" by the Oakland chapter of the Black Panther Party. He recruited other incarcerated people, organized sit-ins against segregated cafeterias and taught martial arts.

Ever since 1979, Black August has been commemorated to remember George Jackson, as well as to honor all political prisoners and celebrate Black resistance across America.

Monifa Bandele, member of the Policy Table Leadership Team at the Movement for Black Lives, joins Marc Lamont Hill on “Black News Tonight” to talk about the Black August commemoration.

All this and more on “Black News Tonight.”

To watch BNC programming, visit https://bnc.tv/how-to-watch/
Follow BNC on social media:
Facebook:   / bncnews  
Twitter:   / bncnews  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bncnews/?hl=en

#BlackAugust #GeorgeJackson #BlackPantherParty