On this day in 1967, 30 armed Black Panthers entered the California State Capitol building while openly carrying firearms in protest of the Mulford Act, bipartisan-supported legislation designed to end Panther patrols of Oakland neighborhoods.

Initially, no one attempted to stop the protesters - they entered the building with their guns pointed at the ceiling and a large group of journalists following them in. When six Panthers entered the assembly chamber, where the lawmakers were in session, some legislators reportedly took cover under desks. Police then ordered the Panthers to leave the premises, and they peacefully complied while insisting they were within their legal right to carry.

Outside, Bobby Seale spoke to a crowd of reporters. Here is an excerpt of what he said:

"Black people have begged, prayed, petitioned, demonstrated, and everything else to get the racist power structure of America to right the wrongs which have historically been perpetuated against black people. All of these efforts have been answered by more repression, deceit and hypocrisy. As the aggression of the racist American government escalates in Vietnam, the police agencies of America escalate the oppression of black people throughout the ghettoes of America."

Shortly after Seale finished speaking, police arrested the group on felony charges of conspiracy to disrupt a legislative session, although the protesters would later plead down to various misdemeanors instead.

Among those arrested was the teenager Bobby Hutton, the first recruit and first treasurer of the Black Panther Party. Hutton would be shot and killed by Oakland Police less than a year later, on April 6th, 1968.