Poster for a Free Huey Rally at De Fremery Park

This poster, published by the Black Panther Party in 1968, was created in response to the imprisonment of Huey P. Newton. Newton was accused of killing a police officer during a violent traffic stop in 1967—a charge that was ultimately overturned. Advertising a Free Huey rally in West Oakland, the poster draws on the Party’s militant visual iconography, resonating with younger generations of Black Americans who were increasingly frustrated by the Civil Rights Movement’s non-violent approach.

Notably, this work reflects the distinctive style of its illustrator, Emory Douglas, whose highly influential graphics transformed Civil Rights-era protest art. His bold illustrations appeared across Panther media, from newspapers to pins, and evolved into a powerful form of revolutionary art embraced by liberation movements worldwide. The composition includes several of the Party’s most recognizable symbols: an image of Newton in a beret, an assault rifle, and the slogan “Huey must be tried by his peers,” reinforcing the Panther’s commitment to armed self-defense.

DeFremery Park (also known as Lil' Bobby Hutton Park), the Oakland rally location mentioned in the poster, is significant given the Panthers' strong ties to the city. Originally built as the Victorian estate of banker James DeFremery, it became Oakland's first municipal park in 1907. The park's transformation reflects the neighborhood's shifting demographics, particularly as West Oakland became predominantly Black following white flight in the 1960s. Over time, the park became a key site for Panther organizing.

A poster for the Free Huey Rally at De Fremery Park, Oakland, California, 1968. Depicted on the left is a drawing of Huey P. Newton wearing a black beret, collared shirt, and jacket. In small text near his shoulder is the illustrator's name [Emory]. Above his head to the right is the animal icon of the black panther. Below the image of Newton black block text reads: [HUEY MUST BE TRIED BY HIS PEERS]. Beneath the extended underscore of the previous text is a list of names: [MELVIN NEWTON / MINISTER OF FINANCE / KATHLEEN CLEAVER / COMMUNICATIONS SECRETARY]. The poster designer's signature is printed and underlined vertically besides Newton’s image at the upper back. From the top of the ...