The sad news recently broke that Veteran Black Panther Romaine “Chip” Fitzgerald, perhaps the longest-held Political Prisoner in the United States, has passed on to the Ancestors. Another product of hard times, who had grown from a life on the streets to become a strong advocate and builder for Black Lives, has left us after 51 years in captivity, and those of us who have advocated for veterans of the Black Freedom Struggle are once again deflated by the news that we have failed another of our long-term activists.
The 360 Collective, an association of Veterans of the Black Panther Party, made the following statement over Facebook:
We are saddened by the recent death of Romaine ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald, the longest imprisoned member of the Black Panther Party, the truest embodiment of revolution in the history of this country. Our hearts are with his family and comrades.
We encourage you to advocate for the release of the remaining members of the party still imprisoned today. You can offer support or learn more by visiting the National Alumni Association of the Black Panther Party Facebook page or on the web at NAABPP.org.
The US Day News was among the first Web sites to publish a story (https://usdaynews.com/news/romaine-chip-fitzgerald-death-cause/):
Secret of Black Panther Party Romaine ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald’s Death Cause
A former member of the Black Panther Party, Romaine ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald’s death cause is still shady after he reportedly passed away Monday (March 29, 2021).
Romaine “Chip” Fitzgerald, the longest-incarcerated Black Panther in U.S. history, entered the state jail as a young man when he was just in his teens.
He spent just two decades of his life on this side of the walls, and 51 years in a cage for fighting for the liberation of his people. RIP.
Born on April 11, 1949, Chip grew up in the Watts and Compton areas, in the community that was famous as South Central Los Angeles. Along with many Black men and women, where the civil rights movement influenced his future.
Romaine ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald’s Death Cause Relates to his Health Condition
The 72-year-old great-grandfather previously suffered a stroke, was not in a good health condition, and was using a cane and a wheelchair for a while. Reporters were asking, “he is not a risk to anymore. So why is Chip Fitzgerald still in prison?”
In the 1960s, the Black Panther Party was being organized in cities all over the country.
Fitzgerald was one of those young Black men interested in joining this community, although anti-war protest and inner-city riots, Romaine ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald, entered the Black Panther Party for answers and respected its founders as role models.
More about Romaine ‘Chip’ Fitzgerald’s Sentence
After being arrested, the young man pleaded not guilty to the charge of the attempted killing of a CHP officer. Although there were some hidden efforts against Chip.
Throughout the days before his arrest, Chip was accused of being involved in the death of a security guard. Nevertheless, the evidence against him was not too heavy, and Chip has denied any involvement, he was still convicted and sentenced to death.
Though Chip was sentenced to death, in 1972, the California Supreme Court banned the death sentence in 1972. He and others on Death Row had their sentences changed to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole, but he has been refused parole many times.
Also, in his 50 years of jail, he’s been housed at every major California prison. He was recently was transformed from R. J. Donovan Correctional Facility San Diego to Lancaster State Prison.
The Web site About Romaine Chip Fitzgerald – Biography | Free Chip Fitzgerald (freedom4chip.org) includes a biography, a petition drive for his freedom, testimonials and writings from him.
