The interesting part is that the Black Panthers came to the forefront of the Civil Rights movement after Martin Luther King was
assasinated. Dr. King was adamant about using Gandhiesque (sp?) tactics. One of his greatest strengths was his ability to inspire people to risk their lives while using entirely peaceful means of protest.

It's not the least bit surprising that the Civil Rights movement became radicalized after Dr. King was assasinated.

CarolC,

You're wrong. The Black Panthers were a significant force by 1966, two years before Dr. King was assassinated.

And long before the assassination, there were many who rejected Dr. King's Ghandian philosophy. I recall the huge, very violent riots in Watts in 1965, in Detroit in 1967, etc.