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Offset lithograph poster depicting two male Black Panther figures carrying arms and wearing black hats, one with dark glasses. Figures rendered in blue, purple and black. One weapon rendered in red. Orange background. Text 'Solidarity with the African/ American People August 18, 1968' written in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

SOLIDARITY WITH THE AFRICAN AMERICAN PEOPLE - AUGUST 18, 1968Designed by Lázaro Abreu PadrónEmory DouglasCommissioned by OSPAAAL (Organization of Solidarity with the People of Africa, Asia and Latin America)1968

Between the 1960s and 1990s, more than fifty designers worked at OSPAAAL. Based in Cuba, they made magazines and posters that were sent around the world. Their aim was to promote radical political ideas. Many of their posters celebrate socialist revolutions and liberation movements from the Global South. They were also connected to the Black Panther Party, a political organisation based in Oakland, California.

Designer Emory Douglas was “glad to see” his illustrations for the Black Panther Party’s newspaper repurposed by OSPAAAL. Douglas’ image reflects the party’s line on carrying arms: “we believe we can end police brutality... by organising black self-defence groups that are dedicated to defending our black community from racist police oppression and brutality.”