Akua Njeri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Akua Njeri
Njeri c. 1970
Born	Deborah Johnson 1949/1950 (age 74–75) Chicago, Illinois
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Wilbur Wright College
Occupation	Activist
Known for	Civil rights activism in the United States; witnessing the assassination of her fiancé, Fred Hampton, and Mark Clark
Political party	Black Panther
Partner(s)	Fred Hampton
Children	Fred Hampton Jr.

Akua Njeri (born Deborah Johnson in 1949 or 1950) is an American writer and activist. She was a member of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party. Njeri was present during a police raid on December 4, 1969. In this raid, her fiancé, Fred Hampton, and Mark Clark were killed. This happened at the Chicago apartment she shared with Hampton. She is the mother of their son, Fred Hampton Jr., who was born after his father's death.

Early Life and Activism

Akua Njeri grew up in Chicago, Illinois. She became involved in political activism at a young age, around 12 years old. As a teenager, she took part in civil rights marches. She also protested against poor housing conditions in Chicago.

When she was 17, Njeri was a student at Wilbur Wright College. She was part of the Black Student Union. This group invited Fred Hampton to speak. Hampton was the chairman of the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party. Njeri remembers talking to Hampton about poetry. He told her he was only interested in poetry that was about "the struggles of the people." He wanted poetry that showed "the people fighting back against the conditions of the Black community."

Soon after this event, Njeri joined the Black Panther Party. She helped with many of their community programs. These included a free breakfast program for children. She also worked with a free medical clinic. Another program she supported was free busing for families to visit relatives in prison.

Njeri and Hampton became a couple. In early 1969, Njeri became pregnant. She was 19 years old, and Hampton was 21.

The 1969 Raid

On December 4, 1969, around 4:00 AM, the Chicago Police Department raided an apartment. This apartment was at 2337 West Monroe Street. Hampton, Njeri, and several other Black Panther members were sleeping there. This raid was part of a secret government project called COINTELPRO.

Njeri was asleep next to Hampton when the police entered. She was 19 years old and more than eight months pregnant. She remembers hearing the first gunshots near the front of the apartment. She immediately tried to protect Hampton with her body. When the shooting stopped, she stood up and started to leave the bedroom. Police officers grabbed her and dragged her into the kitchen. She heard a police voice say, "He's barely alive; he'll barely make it." Then, more shooting began. She then heard, "He's good and dead now." Njeri tried not to look at Hampton's body. She wanted to stay strong. She was handcuffed and led out of the apartment. A gun was pressed against her pregnant belly.

Njeri and the other people who survived the raid were arrested. They were held on a high bail amount.

After the Raid

Many people supported Njeri and the other survivors. This public support helped them get enough money to pay the bail. Njeri was the first survivor to be released. This was because she was pregnant and under great stress. Njeri and Hampton's son was born on December 29, 1969. She first named him Alfred Johnson. Later, when he was ten years old, she legally changed his name to Fred Hampton Jr.

Njeri and the other survivors chose not to take part in a federal investigation. Njeri explained that they felt "justice would not be served." She has shared that she felt guilty for surviving the raid where Hampton died.

In May 1970, tests on bullets and other evidence showed that the Black Panthers were innocent. The families of Hampton and Clark, along with the survivors, filed a lawsuit. They sued the Chicago Police Department and the FBI. This legal case lasted for 13 years. In 1983, the city of Chicago, Cook County, and the federal government agreed to pay a large amount of money. They paid $1.8 million to the seven survivors and the families of the two victims. Each of the main groups involved paid one-third of the settlement.

Continued Activism and Legacy

Akua Njeri began to read many books and felt a stronger connection to Africa. She changed her name to Akua Njeri. This was part of a movement to shed what some called "slave names." Many people in the Black Power and Nation of Islam movements did this.

In 1998, she was the national president of the National People's Democratic Uhuru Movement (NPDUM). This group works for self-determination for African-Americans. It includes people of different races. She also oversaw the Chicago chapter of the group. It is connected to the African People's Socialist Party.

Fred Hampton Jr. has said that his mother always talked about his father throughout his life. He "respected and loved" Hampton Sr. as an important figure. He also said that his mother "always taught me what my father did, the courageous stands he took."

Njeri is the chairperson of the December 4th Committee. This committee works to "defend and maintain the legacy of the Black Panther Party." It also aims to share "what really happened on that fateful morning" of Hampton and Clark's deaths. The committee works with the Prisoners of Conscience Committee (POCC). Njeri is also on the advisory committee for the POCC. Together, these groups hold an annual celebration for Hampton's birthday on August 30. They also recognize International Revolutionary Day on December 4th, the anniversary of the raid. Njeri also helps coordinate clothing and food giveaways with the POCC.

Njeri often gives speeches. She also helped create a plan to name a Chicago block "Chairman Fred Hampton Way."

In 2019, Njeri and Fred Hampton Jr. started a fundraising project called “Save the Hampton House.” Their goal was to buy and restore Hampton Sr.'s childhood home in Maywood, Illinois. They plan to make the house a historical landmark and a museum. It would also offer educational services, community meeting space, and gardens. By 2021, they had raised over $365,000, which was more than their goal.

Images for kids

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  Njeri c. 1970