Incident
| Date | Dec 02, 1970 |
| Time | 10:30 AM |
| Department | Buffalo Police Department |
| Address |
E Ferry St
Buffalo, NY |
Incident Description
Buffalo City Court marshals, assisted by Buffalo police, and workmen hired by a landlord, evicted the National Committee to Combat Facism(NCCF), an arm of the Black Panther Party(BPP) from its rented headquarters at 299 E Ferry St on December 2nd, 1970.
Police and city marshals arrived at the building at around 10:30 a.m. with a court order for eviction signed by James Arkeilpane, the landlord, who claimed the tennants were three months behind on rent.
NCCF/BPP said they were on a rent strike because of poor condition of the building, citing rats, poor plumbing and bad lighting.
Captain Frank Piracci of the Cold Spring Station said the city marshals requested police to accompany them. Also at the scene was Captain Floyd Edwards, although he was on vacation.
No one was charged and Capt. Piracci said the weapons and ammunition that were taken for law enforcement's own protection. He said that the man in possession of the weapons was not in violation of the law.
299 E Ferry was demolished and an empty lot is in its place today.
Links
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They Were Never Silent, You Just Weren 't Listening: Buffalo's Black Activists
According to Nat Shanks, an officer at the Ministry of Information of the Black Panther Party in New York City, Buffalo would have to prove itself before being officially welcomed into the fold. Shank explained, "the oppression in Buffalo will intensify once the NCCF becomes a Panther chapter.” Shanks’ prediction proved to be correct. In the months to follow, the NCCF headquarters, located on 299 East Ferry Street was raided several times and in 1970 they were evicted from their headquarters. - Domonique Griffin
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Panther Group Outed from Office
Piracci said the weapon and ammunition was take. "for our protection." - Buffalo Courier Express
Videos
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Interview with Kevin Blackford - Black Panther Party, Buffalo NY Chapter
Doug Ruffin | Buffalo History Channel