A year before when another Panther had gone on trial for his
alleged involvement in the same crime, New Haven, Connecticut,
experienced a series of demonstrations which culminated in a mass
protest meeting of some fifteen thousand people.
By early 1971, terrorism, violent confrontation, and peaceful protests
had withered considerably. Pessimism, cynicism, and despair were
widespread, and many advocates of change had become paralyzed by
futility, but neither black nor white protesters had surrendered to
the status quo. Both groups were rethinking their attitudes. Instead
of using massive campaigns with mass media coverage, the Movement had
switched its emphasis to the routine, day-by-day organization of
support. In 1966 the Black Power Movement had contained more rhetoric
than power. In 1971 it was still alive, but blacks were working in
practical ways, limiting themselves to workable objectives. The
Afro-American community was quietly building community organizations
to create the economic and political foundations necessary for the
future. Mass protests and radical slogans, even when they received
worldwide attention, had not had enough muscle to change power
relationships.
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