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Candlelight Vigil Set for Elmer ‘Geronimo’ Pratt in LA’s Leimert Park

Elmer "Geronimo" Pratt, flanked by his lawyer Johnnie Cochran Jr., left, and daughter, Shona, wipes his brow as he faces reporters after he was released on bail in Santa Ana, CA in this June 10,1997 AP file photo

*Project Islamic hope has announced a candlelight vigil on Friday at 6pm in LA’s Leimert Park for Elmer “Geronimo” Pratt the former Black Panther Party leader who passed away on Thursday, June 2. He was 63.

“Geronimo, was my friend, mentor and comrade. He always treated the younger generation of activists with love and respect. My heart is filled with sadness, I will miss his courage and strength he always displayed. This is a sad day for the activist community around the world,” stated Najee Ali, Founder and CEO of Project Islamic HOPE.

About Elmer “Geronimo” Pratt
Elmer “Geronimo” Pratt (September 13, 1947 – June 2, 2011), also known as Geronimo ji-Jaga, was a former high ranking member of the Black Panther Party. He was targeted by the FBI program COINTELPRO, which aimed to “neutralize Pratt as an effective BPP functionary.” Pratt was tried and convicted of the kidnap and murder of Caroline Olsen in 1972, and spent 27 years in prison, eight of which were in solitary confinement. Pratt was freed in 1997 when his conviction was vacated. He was working as a human rights activist up until the time of his death. He died in his adopted country, Tanzania, on June 2, 2011. Many people in the African-American community, as well as those involved in grassroots and human and civil rights struggles considered Pratt a warrior and hero of their movements