STATE : 1,000 Jam Church for Funeral Rites of ‘Celebration’ for Huey Newton

OAKLAND — About 1,000 mourners jammed a Baptist church for funeral services “of celebration” today for Huey P. Newton, black radical of the 1960s who police believe was slain by a young crack dealer in a street confrontation.

“We celebrate his homegoing not as a thug, not as a criminal but as a member of the Allen Temple Baptist Church,” a speaker said to vigorous applause from the audience as he introduced the Rev. J. Alfred Smith, who presided over the service.

Bobby Seale, who formed the Panthers with Newton in 1966, was among several former comrades scheduled to deliver remarks. Others included ex-Panthers Rap Brown and Elaine Brown. Former Panthers filled the front pew of the church.

Private burial at a cemetery in the Oakland hills was to follow the expected two-hour services.

Newton, 47, co-founder of the militant Black Panther Party, was killed Aug. 22 by three gunshot wounds to the head on the sidewalk near an Oakland housing project rampant with drug trafficking and violent crime.