Black militant organizations

Mike Hamlin and Joann Castle Papers

drice — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 15:59:07 -0400

Michael Charles Hamlin was born Oct 17, 1935. He graduated from Ecorse High School and attended the University of Michigan on a scholarship. He enlisted in the Marines, working as a firearms instructor until he was discharged in 1960. He worked as a delivery truck driver for the Detroit News, where he met Kenneth Cockrel and John Watson. He later worked for Wayne State University’s newspaper, “South End.” Mike Hamlin was active in political groups such as the Black Workers Conference. He was a founding member of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers and served as an officer. He also organized the black radical newspaper, “Inner City Voice.”

Joann Carole Castle was born May 30, 1937. In 1957 she married Donald J. Castle, Chairman of the Catholic lay organization Hourglass, with whom she had six children. After their marriage ended in the early 1970s she began attending Wayne State University. Both Hamlin and Castle were active in the Motor City Labor League (MCLL). Hamlin was a founder of the organization and Castle worked for a period as a coordinator. Both attended meetings of the Control-Conflict-Change group of the Ad Hoc Action Group of Concern Citizens.

The papers consist of records from Mike Hamlin and Joann Castle’s involvement in MCLL, largely through the Red Squad files of police surveillance that documented meetings, personal actions and information. The collection also includes articles, clippings and correspondence from the controversy over the Archdiocese Opportunity Program to aid the impoverished in Detroit and the Hourglass group involvement to support self-determination of African Americans in the late 1960s. Joann’s thesis on the Community Health Associations is also included.

Merle Henrickson Papers

drice — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:22:40 -0400

Merle Henrickson served as president of United Public Workers Local 275 of Detroit in the late 1940's. From the 1940s through the 1980s, he was involved
with the neighborhood and community councils of Detroit, particularly the Brightmoor
District Council. He was a major figure in the citizen movement to improve public
schools in Detroit and as such, he was deeply involved in school desegregation in the 1970s. His wife, Wilma worked for 15 years in Detroit Public Schools and was active in the same city and community associations as her husband. She was a prolific writer, her works including Detroit Perspectives, a compendium of Detroit history that she edited.

Part 1 of Henrickson's papers include material on the United Public Workers, United Office and Professional Workers, Michigan CIO Council, CIO Political Action Committee, and the Greater Detroit and Wayne County Industrial Union councils.

Parts 2 and 3 reflect both Merle and Wilma's work and activities in Detroit schools and communities.

Subject Focus: Black Revolutionaries

eclemens — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:21:12 -0500

The Reuther Library celebrates African American History Month with a brief look at resources in our collections that deal with the topic of Black revolutionaries. We define Black revolutionaries as persons or groups whose goal was to create a positive change in the lives of African Americans through radical action. The means to this end varied from person to person, organization to organization - the action could be carried out with words or through armed conflict, the desired results could be equality for all or separation of races all together. The following resources chronicle the struggle for identity and equality and highlight the rich legacy of social and political activism and reform within the various revolutionary movements. read more »

(27965) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:49:41 -0500

Police officers surround the National Coalition to Combat Fascism in America's Community Center located at 3376 16th Street (near 16th and Myrtle) during a confrontation between the members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD) and Detroit Police.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The result was a nine 9-hour siege involving nearly 100 police officers in which four police cars were destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer was wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith was killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Headquarters were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27961) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Headquarters, Detroit, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:16:45 -0500

An exterior view of the headquarters for the Detroit Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), located at 611 Continental. A banner on second story reads, "National Committee to Combat Fascism."

(27962) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Headquarters, Detroit, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:20:19 -0500

An interior view of the headquarters for the Detroit Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), located at 611 Continental. Chuck Holt and Ronnie Irwin sit behind a desk.

(27963) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 09:07:30 -0500

An exterior view of 3376 16th Street, the National Committee to Combat Fascism in America's Community Center, after the confrontation between Detroit Police and members of Detroit's Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD).

Note: Police entering the building wear gas masks and the front window is broken, possibly because canisters of tear gas were used.

(27964) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:42:12 -0500

Police officers and local media swarm outside of the National Coalition to Combat Fascism in America's Community Center located at 3376 16th Street (near 16th and Myrtle). At center, left is newspaper columnist Nadine Brown, who served as an intermediary between the Black Panthers and the Detroit Police during the 9-hour siege.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The result was a nine 9-hour siege in which four police cars were destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer was wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith was killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27966) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:59:37 -0500

An unidentified man is arrested during a confrontation between Detroit POlice and members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD).

(27967) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:07:23 -0500

Acting mayor, Mel Ravitz (at center), addresses the crowd gathered during the confrontation between Detroit Police and members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD).

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The nine 9-hour siege that followed involved nearly 100 police officers, and resulted in four police cars being destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer being wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith being killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27968) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:14:15 -0500

The remains of four police cars, burned by molotov cocktails and stripped by an angry crowd during a confrontation between members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD) and the Detroit Police.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The nine 9-hour siege that followed involved nearly 100 police officers, and resulted in four police cars being destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer being wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith being killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27968) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, Brown, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:28:50 -0500

Nadine Brown, reporter and columnist for the Michigan Chronicle, addresses the press during a confrontation between Detroit Police and members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD). Ms. Brown served as an intermediary during the 9-hour stand-off and is credited with bringing the event to a peaceful conclusion by persuading most of the BPPSD members to come out of the Community Center that they occupied.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The nine 9-hour siege that followed involved nearly 100 police officers, and resulted in four police cars being destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer being wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith being killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27970) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:12:03 -0500

Police officers and local media crowd the scene as members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD) are led to a police wagon after a 9-hour stand-off. At center, left is newspaper columnist Nadine Brown, who served as an intermediary between the Black Panthers and the Detroit Police.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The result was a nine 9-hour siege in which four police cars were destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer was wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith was killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27971) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:17:37 -0500

Members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD) are loaded into a police wagon after their 9-hour stand-off with Detroit Police officers comes to an end.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The result was a nine 9-hour siege in which four police cars were destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer was wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith was killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27972) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Police, Confrontation, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:19:46 -0500

Members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD) are loaded into a police wagon after their 9-hour stand-off with Detroit Police officers comes to an end.

The confrontation began when two police officers attempted to issue ordinance violation tickets to two men who were selling newspapers on the sidewalk. The accounts of what happened next vary, however, a fight broke out between the officers and members of the crowd that had gathered, back-up was called for and shots were fired. The result was a nine 9-hour siege in which four police cars were destroyed by Molotov cocktails, one police officer was wounded by shrapnel and Patrolman Edward Smith was killed by a shotgun blast to the head. 15 young defendants, seven men and eight women, who had barricaded themselves in the Community Center were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.

(27973) Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (BPPSD), Huey Long, 1970

eclemens — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:50:28 -0500

Huey Newton, at center, at an unidentified location.

(27989) Nation of Islam, Malcolm X, Meetings, Detroit, 1962

eclemens — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:21:06 -0500

Malcolm X (formerly Malcolm Little) speaks to a reporter from the Detroit News regarding the Nation of Islam's national protest meeting that is to be held at Olympia Stadium the next day.

(27990) Nation of Islam, Malcolm X, Meetings, Detroit, 1962

eclemens — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:30:21 -0500

Over 3,500 members and supporters filled Detroit's Olympia Stadium for a national protest rally by the Nation of Islam (NOI). The meeting was convened to protest the shooting of two NOI members by Los Angeles Police officers. At center, Malcolm X.

(27991) Nation of Islam, Malcolm X, Meetings, Wayne State, 1963

eclemens — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:37:14 -0500

Malcolm X addresses a packed house during a lecture sponsored by Wayne State's Independent Socialist Club. The lecture was held in Room 101 of State Hall and had over 400 students in attendance.

(27992) Nation of Islam, Malcolm X, Meetings, Wayne State, 1963

eclemens — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:41:06 -0500

Malcolm X addresses a packed house during a lecture sponsored by Wayne State's Independent Socialist Club. The lecture was held in Room 101 of State Hall and had over 400 students in attendance.

(27993) Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad, Meetings, Detroit, 1965

eclemens — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:15:52 -0500

Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI), speaks before a crowd at Detroit's Cobo Hall.

(27994) Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad, Meetings, Detroit, 1965

eclemens — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:19:01 -0500

Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI), speaks to the crowd at Detroit's Cobo Hall.

(27995) Nation of Islam, Muhammad Mosque No. 1, Detroit, 1965

eclemens — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:24:16 -0500

An exterior view of Muhammad Mosque No. 1, located at 11529 Linwood Avenue, Detroit.

Seeking "Self-Determination" in Detroit: Housing, Race, and the Activism of the West Central Organization, 1964-1971

teller — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:05:25 -0400

Dr. Anna E. Lindner discusses the rise and subsequent downfall of the West Central Organization in Detroit, a coalition of civil rights organizations, community groups, and church congregations that sought to bring attention to housing inequality and other social issues in the 1960s. read more »