1. It is forbidden for a Black Panther/Vanguard Movement
member to commit any crime or act of physical violence
against any other Black Panther/Vanguard Movement member.
2. No member may use, point, or fire a weapon of
any kind unnecessarily or accidentally at anyone.
3. If arrested by the police, all members will only
give their true name, address, and will sign nothing.
All members shall learn and understand their legal
and constitutional rights.
4. It is forbidden to violate the dignity, honor
or person of any Black Panther/Vanguard Movement member
or any member of the community.
5. It is forbidden to compromise the integrity of
the Panther/Vanguard Movement by committing illegal
acts against the people.
6. No Black Panther/Vanguard Movement member shall
be in possession of, or under the influence of alcohol
or narcotics (marijuana, cocaine, crack, etc.) while
conducting movement work or while wearing articles
identified with the Black Panther/Vanguard Movement
(T-shirts, beret, jacket, etc.).
7. Continuous Political Education is mandatory; the
Revised Ten Point Platform and the Code of Conduct
must be known and understood by all members.
8. All members must strive to understand and increase
their general knowledge, understanding of basic sciences,
revolutionary and historical principles, and methods
of organizing and administering to the needs of the
people and the community.
9. When representing the Black Panther/Vanguard Movement,
no member shall use inappropriate profanity with any
member of the community or Media.
10. No Black Panther/Vanguard Movement member
shall purposely defame or vilify a person or a people
merely because of their national origin or, racial
heritage; the Black Panther/Vanguard Movement is not
a racist organization; we don't fight racism with
racism, we fight racism with racial solidarity.
11. No Black Panther/Vanguard member shall
speak to the Media unless authorized by the appropriate
leadership bodies, Confidential organizational information
(telephone numbers, addresses, internal memorandum
and study papers, etc.,) shall not be released to
persons or organizations without clearance from the
appropriate leadership bodies.
12. Any political, legal, or personal disputes
between Black Panthers/ Vanguard Movement members
shall be settled in a just and non-antagonistic manner
by internal arbitration or mediation.
13. All Black Panthers/Vanguard Movement members
must at all times consider themselves to be fully
accountable not only to our “Movement” but also to
the “people in the community.” Therefore, each member
must honor this sacred responsibility with humility,
compassion, strength and the deepest spirituality.
All members shall respect all human life, and protect
those who cannot protect themselves. In all actions,
both personal and organizational, members must be
loyal to the Black Panther/Vanguard Movement, its
ideals and programs, and devoted to the cause of “serving
the people body and soul.”
14. All Black Panthers/Vanguard Movement members
must abide by these rules as functional and active
members. Any observed infractions must be reported
to the appropriate leadership bodies. Violations of
these rules of conduct must result in disciplinary
action, temporary suspensions, or permanent expulsion
from the Black Panther/Vanguard Movement.
15. All chapters, branches, and components of the
Black Panther/Vanguard Movement shall have the right
to representation on the “national Leadership council”
with full voting rights.
