The Mark Clark Memorial Tribute will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2009, at Lovejoy Church located at 1500 S. Easton Street in Peoria, Illinois, commemorating the life and death of our beloved brother.

On December 4, 1969, Chicago Police under orders from Illinois State's Attorney Edward V. Hanrahan and FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover assassinated Black Panther Party leaders, Defense Captain Mark Clark and Chairman Fred Hampton. This is the 40th year since the infamous Massacre on Monroe, and we are committed to preserving the memory of these young martyrs by acknowledging their contributions to the African-American community.

The Mark Clark Free Breakfast Program will kick off the event in honor of the founder of the Black Panther Free Breakfast for Children Program in Peoria. Exhibits on African-American History, FBI and COINTELPRO documents, and the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense will be on display throughout the day.

The Murder of Fred Hampton, a documentary with live footage of events surrounding the December 4th raid, will be available for viewing. The event will culminate with the Mark Clark Memorial Tribute Program, followed by a banquet dinner.

The distinguished panel of speakers includes the widow and son of Chairman Fred Hampton: Chairwoman Akua Njeri of the December 4th Committee has kept the legacy alive for 40 years; her son, Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr., of the Prisoners of Conscience Committee, an advocate for political prisoners, is a powerful voice for social change.

Also in attendance will be the family and friends of Comrades Hampton and Clark, Black Panther Party members, leaders from religious, academic, and social organizations, as well as the community at-large.

For further details, contact elnerclark@ markclarkmemorial.com