Black Panthers on the Capitol Steps, 1969

On February 28, 1969, with rifles in hand, members of the Seattle chapter of the Black Panthers for Self Defense led by Lt. Elmer Dixon gathered on the steps of the Capitol in Olympia. House Bill No. 123, which had been debated the day before, made it a crime to exhibit firearms "in a manner manifesting an intent to intimidate others." Several Black Panthers stood on the steps of the Legislative Building in protest but when requested by the Washington State Patrol, the group unloaded their weapons. After chapter captain Aaron Dixon read a statement to the Senate Ways & Means Committee, the Black Panthers left the capitol grounds.

State Governor's Negative Collection, 1949-1975, Washington State Digital Archives.

Written by Ben Helle