◆ SpookStack

or Sees at sharp disapproval. The ground rales for the treatment should be precisely the same, whether he is a good, popular guy, or a dirty, smelly guy. What was the purpose of the Bureau in trying to stir up strife—perhaps I shouldn't say what was the purpose—what possible justification for the Burean trying to sic the Black Panthers on that outfit out in California, or between the Black Panthers and the Black- stone Rangers in Chicago? Was it with the hope that by fomenting it they would kill each other off? Mr. Avams. Absolutely not, and I think the committee staff can inform you that during their review of all of these matters they haven't come up with one instance of violence resulting from any of these actions. In that particular there was a communication in the saine file, which I believe the staff had access to, which showed that we did get information that one of these groups was going to put out « contract on one of the others, and we notified the police and the indi- vidual of the fact that their life was in danger. None of our programs have contemplated violence, and the instructions prohibited it, and the record of turndowns of recommended actions in some instances specifically say that we do not approve this action because if we take it, it could result in harm to the individual. So, I think this is one charge—and the staff did not make such a charge, I might add, when they presented the picture—but I think any inference that we were trying to result in violence is wrong. Senator Harr of Michigan. Let me explain for the record why I reached the conclusion I did. Mr. Apans. The wording of that memorandum-—— Senator Harr of Michigan. And why I continue to hold to that conclusion. On January 30, 1969, the Bureau headquarters in Washington approved sending an anonymous letter to the leader of the Blackstone Rangers, Jeff Fort, which indicated that the Black Panthers had put a contract out on his life as a result of conflicts between the two organizations [exhibit 28+]. Now, you say that was to warn him. IT ask, wasn’t the principal purpose of the letter to encourage the Rangers to shoot some or al! of the leadership of the Panthers? Otherwise, what does this quote mean. and I will read it. It is from & memorandum from the Chicago office of the FBI asking approval to undertake this. Here is the way it reads: “It is believed that the above” this anonymous tip that a contract is out on you. “It is believed that the above may intensify the degree of animosity between the two groups and occasion Fort to take retaliatory actions which could disrupt the BBP.” the Black Panthers “or lead to reprisals against its leadership. Consideration has been given to a similar letter to the Panthers alleging a Ranger plot against Panther leadership. How- ever, it is not felt that this will be productive, principally because the Panthers at present is not believed as violence prone at the Rangers, to whom violent type activity, shooting and the like, are second nature.” [Exhibit 29.7} Now, how can you reach any conclusion other than a purpose was to generate the kind of friction that would induce the killing —— Net Pian hd A hatred eer i] 1 Bee p. 430, * Bee p. 423. . ~ a mre ORE ATA Seay od pert Bate meee! : tates es A oe ; Yet Mat tase Spt mete oe eB ee te ot