March 30, 1969: 55 years ago, March 30 1969, the San Francisco Police Department murdered [...]

55 years ago, March 30 1969, the San Francisco Police Department murdered Black 19-year-old Alvert Joe Linthcome. The Black Panther Party and other groups organized a community “Black Ribbon Inquest,” calling for the arrest or execution of the police responsible

Linthcome and a friend were driving around Hunters Point in a car that the police suspected was stolen. SFPD chased and opened fire on the car, and the young men ran into a record store, where officer Gerald Roberts barged inside firing without warning, killing Linthcome

Hundreds attended Linthcome’s funeral where BPP members served as pallbearers. Outraged over the killing, Black anti-crime group Youth For Action, who previously worked with the mayor’s office to keep the BPP out of Hunters Point, announced an alliance with the Panthers

After the official inquest determined the killing a “justifiable homicide,” the BPP worked with Linthcome’s family, former SNCC leader James Forman, and other Black political groups to hold a “Black Ribbon Inquest,” determining themselves a guilty verdict and calling for arrests