As the Black Panther Party marks its 50th anniversary we revisit two decades of Democracy Now! interviews with members who were released from prison, in many cases after tortured confessions, wrongful convictions, and longterm solitary confinement. We also report on those still behind bars.

Political prisoners are part of the Black Panther Party legacy. Some former members have been behind bars 40 years. In some cases, court documents show they were punished essentially for being in the black liberation struggle. Many continue face parole board denials based on their relationship with the party. Perhaps the most famous political prisoner in the United States, Mumia Abu-Jamal is a former Panther who has regularly been interviewed on Democracy Now! as an award-winning journalist. Learn about the others below.

Watch our historic roundtable discussion with four former Black Panthers who were political prisoners, conducted on the 50th anniversary of the Party’s founding:

Surviving Members of Angola 3 on Black Panther Legacy & Need to Free Remaining Imprisoned Panthers

Exclusive–Freed Panther Sekou Odinga on Joining the Panthers, COINTELPRO & Assata Shakur’s Escape

Political Prisoner Eddie Conway on Joining the Black Panthers & How He Was Set Up by COINTELPRO

Treat Them Like the Heroes They Are–Fmr. Black Panthers Call for Release of Those Still Locked Up

Part 2: Sekou Odinga on 15 Black Panthers Still in Prison, How He Organized Behind Bars, & #BlackLivesMatter

See more Democracy Now! reports on the Black Panthers and COINTELPRO