Kenneth Borden
Kenneth Borden
Kenneth Borden was just 21 years old when tragedy struck and he was fatally shot by a New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) officer on September 15, 1970. Despite grappling with sickle cell anemia, his life was abruptly cut short during a confrontation in the Desire neighborhood. This incident took place amidst a standoff involving the Black Panther Party and law enforcement, locally renowned as the "Showdown in Desire" or the "Standoff with the Black Panthers." Sadly, this intense confrontation, tied to larger events like COINTELPRO where officers used secretive tactics to subvert self-determination within Black communities, often overshadows the details of Borden's untimely death. Unfortunately, his family suffered further injustice as the truth about his death remained veiled and entangled within the legal proceedings.
During their usual council meeting on September 21, 2023, the New Orleans City Council took a significant step by recognizing the tragic murder of Kenneth Borden. They facilitated a presentation by the Louis A. Berry Institute for Civil Rights & Justice at SULC, Kenneth Borden's family, and Green Stevens, the founder of the New Orleans Chapter of the Black Panthers. This presentation delved into Kenneth's life and aimed to shed light on the enduring effects on the Borden family, the broader New Orleans community, and the consequences stemming from the false narratives surrounding Kenneth and the Black Panthers.
Videos
Behind the Standoff: The Kenneth Borden Story -- 53 Years Later
Source: WWL TV
New Orleans City Council Meeting 9/21/2023
Source: YouTube
Press
2023
- Behind the Standoff: The Kenneth Borden Story -- 53 Years Later
- Victim’s family receives acknowledgement from New Orleans City Council after three decades
- For family of man killed by cop in 1970 Desire standoff, a chance to set the record straight