As tensions between the general public and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement mount following an ICE agent’s taking pictures and killing of an unarmed U.S. citizen in Minneapolis, the Black Panther Get together for Self-Protection has proven up in a supportive capability in Philadelphia — and so they didn’t come to play.
Final week, members claiming to belong to the Black Panther Get together for Self-Protection’s Philadelphia chapter attended an anti-ICE demonstration at Philadelphia Metropolis Corridor.
In footage circulating on-line, the members, wearing black bomber jackets emblazoned with the white-and-black panther brand, berets, and carrying military-style weapons (which they’re legally permitted to hold), mentioned they had been there to maintain the individuals protected. Actually, Paul Birdsong, who recognized himself because the chairman for the Philadelphia chapter, thinks issues would have ended in a different way in the event that they had been onsite on Jan. 7, the day ICE agent Jonathan Ross opened hearth on Renee Good, killing her.
“That wouldn’t have occurred if we had been there,” he instructed The Philadelphia Inquirer. “Not a single particular person would have gotten touched.”
Whereas chatting with Philly AM TV, he doubled down, saying, “Gained’t no ICE agent ever run up on me. I assure you.”
He added, “Unarmed girl was killed by ICE. For those who assume you about to come back and brutalize the individuals whereas we’re standing right here, f— round and discover out.”
Birdsong didn’t instantly reply to theGrio’s request for remark.
A reemergence of the unique Black Panther Get together — based in 1966 by Huey P. Newton in Oakland, California, which strove for Black liberation, led armed patrols to watch and cease police brutality, and established neighborhood applications like free breakfast for youngsters, well being clinics, and faculties —Birdsong mentioned the trendy model capabilities a lot the identical.
“We’re the identical Panther Get together from again within the day, however we’re a bit extra aggressive now. You dig,” he instructed PhillyFAMETV.
They’re calling for ICE to be abolished and for President Donald Trump and his administration to be held accountable.
“Those that serve within the public they need to be frightened of the general public,” he continued. “They need to be fearful that the general public goes to be dissatisfied with their job that they’re doing, not feeling like they’re tyrants, not feeling like they’re bullies as a result of they received weapons and physique armor and walkie-talkies that makes them resistant to regardless of the individuals would do.”
Whereas discussing the Black Panthers’ custom of arming themselves, he famous, “If you will legally arm your self, arm your self with one thing larger than what they received.”
Within the meantime, Birdsong suggested these dwelling in communities with excessive immigrant populations to do what they may to guard them.
“The neighborhood round them must take particular care of them,” he urged, including that might contain escorting them to and from locations.
Within the days because the group confirmed up on the demonstration and acquired viral consideration, Birdsong launched a video on his Instagram, dispelling misinformation and sharing extra about what the unique Black Panther Get together stood for, together with the truth that they aren’t a racist group.
“The Black Panther Get together just isn’t a black nationalist group,” he burdened. “The New Black Panther Get together could be, I’m undecided the revolutionary Black Panther Get together could be. Any of those variations of Black Panther events could be. However the Black Panther Get together for Self-Protection, the one which Huey Newton began with Bobby Seale, is an internationalist group that stands as allies with oppressed individuals, it doesn’t matter what their ethnic background is, it doesn’t matter what their cultural background is.”
Earlier than the video wrapped he added, “All energy to the individuals, no energy to the pigs.”
