Huey P. Newton was an American political activist and co-founder of the Black Panther Party in 1966. He played a significant role in advocating for the rights of African Americans and addressing issues such as police brutality and social injustice. Newton's leadership helped the party gain national attention and support during the civil rights movement. Newton was born on February 17, 1942, in Monroe, Louisiana, and later moved to Oakland, California. He studied law at the University of California, Berkeley, where he developed his political beliefs. Throughout his life, Newton faced legal challenges and controversies but remained a prominent figure in the fight for racial equality.