Panther statement on military/Alioto on Panther investigation

KRON-TV archival newsfilm footage from circa November 20th, 1968 featuring a press conference given by Bobby Seale, David Hilliard, and Virtual Murrell, the Distribution Manager for the Black Panther Party, who reads a statement to the press on the eve of his induction to the United States Army. Murrell's statement addresses the Panther's belief, echoed in the sixth point of their Ten Point Platform of Programs, that all black men should be exempt from military service. "We believe that all black people should not be forced to fight in the military to defend a racist government that does not protect us. We will not fight and kill other people of color in the world who, like black people, are being victimized by the white racist government of America. We will protect ourselves from the force and violence of the racist police and the racist military by whatever means necessary." Also features an exterior shot of Party headquarters in Oakland and interior shots and close-ups of of the chalkboards, posters, and fliers that adorn the walls. The clip also includes footage of San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto addressing a group at the Sheraton Palace hotel in San Francisco. Alioto condemns racism on the part of both white and black racists and addresses several recent events in the Bay Area involving race. He also addresses recent accusations that San Francisco State University English instructor George Mason Murray told his students to bring guns to campus, and denounces his alleged exhortations to violence. Alioto also discusses the issue of the need for an improved school curriculum with regard to African American history and the presence of narcotics in the black community. Concludes with Alioto saying, "given the combination of consistent and constant oral talk, somewhat irresponsible, directed to members in a tightly knit group, predicated along racist lines, and lines about the elimination of slave masters, given all of those things it seems that the public has a right to inquire as to whether or not this is an organization expressing political views or whether this is just another Murder, Inc., or just another bunch of thugs who are going to use guns illegally." Alioto receives a standing ovation. Remastered, edited and catalogued for the web by Shira Peltzman.