After the legitimacy of people claiming to be members of a Black Panther Occasion for Self Protection chapter in Philadelphia was known as into query following their headline-making look at a latest anti-ICE protest, the group is now providing proof of who they are saying they’re.
Paul Birdsong, chairman of the native chapter, introduced in an Instagram video that the group plans to satisfy with the general public on Saturday, Jan. 31, at midday at 2123 North Gratz Road in Philadelphia. The gathering is meant for anybody who desires to be taught extra concerning the group and the “actual” and “unique” elders who he claims are guiding them.
“I’d like to ask everybody out … to satisfy with myself and the respected, notable Black Panther Occasion elders, unique Black Panthers from the 60s,” Birdsong mentioned within the video uploaded to Instagram, flanked by members wearing black. “They are going to be there to take a seat down with us, discuss with us, and be taught with us and develop with us.”
He added that the occasion would additionally function a possibility “to authenticate us,” and to indicate the general public “who we’re getting tutelage, classes, steerage, understanding and fact from.”
“I invite everybody who has any questions pertaining to our authenticity or our validity to come back,” he continued. “There can be loads of meals, loads of refreshments. There can be a peaceable time, and there can be notable, unique Black Panther Occasion elders there so that you can discuss to, ask questions, and get to know.”
The deal with Birdsong supplied — 2123 North Gratz Road, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19121 — additionally seems to be related to the Madeira Household Heart, in line with Yelp and numerous GPS platforms.
The video, posted with restricted feedback enabled, arrives simply days after a lady claiming to be Huey P. Newton’s niece, Myesha Newton, publicly denounced Birdsong and his chapter after footage surfaced of the group patrolling the anti-ICE demonstration within the Metropolis of Brotherly Love.
“My title is Myesha Newton,” she mentioned in a video posted on-line. “My father’s title was Walter Newton. He was the brother of Huey Percy Newton, who began the Black Panther Occasion in Oakland, California. I acquired start certificates paperwork and an entire bunch of Newtons … pay attention, this goes out to the Black Panther Occasion, the New United Black Panther Occasion, whoever’s on the market protesting with these Somalians, I’m about to get a stop and desist order in opposition to you, and I’m about to sue you. You aren’t going to defame my uncle’s title like that. We’re not doing that. See you in court docket, b—.”
Her video prompted somebody claiming to be Newton’s organic son, Rico Dukes, to come back ahead and vouch for the Philly group.
“I had been watching him for a couple of months, after which I lastly known as him to offer him my blessings and standing how the Panthers stood in 1966,” Dukes mentioned in a Fb video shared on Jan. 18th. “It’s many elders from the 1966 Panther Occasion that vouch for his chapter.”
Whether or not the late political activist had any organic kids stays a thriller.
In his newest put up, Birdsong additionally straight addressed these related to the unique Black Panther Occasion who’ve voiced issues.
“I wish to thank everyone who has been diligent and vigilant to guard the Black Panther Occasion legacy,” he mentioned. “I commend you guys. I commend you guys defending the legacy. I commend you guys standing up for the legacy. And I’m really grateful that you’re.”
Birdsong framed the general public assembly as one of the simplest ways to judge his chapter.
“I believe one of the simplest ways to guard the legacy, going ahead, pertaining to us, is to come back to the occasion,” he mentioned. “Carry whoever else you wish to the occasion.”
He went on to increase a private invitation to Newton.
“Huey Newton’s niece, I’m cordially inviting you to the occasion,” he mentioned. “Fred Hampton Jr., I’m cordially inviting you to the occasion. Normal Mike Payne, I’m cordially inviting you to the occasion, the place you may be met with peace and revolutionary love.”
He closed by restating the placement and declaring, “All energy to the folks.”
Within the meantime, his chapter has continued its numerous neighborhood outreach all through Philly and even in neighboring cities reminiscent of Baltimore.
Shortly after footage from the protest started circulating on-line, Birdsong addressed what he mentioned have been misconceptions and misinformation forming concerning the group and its politics.
“The Black Panther Occasion isn’t a Black nationalist group,” he mentioned. “The New Black Panther Occasion is perhaps. I’m unsure. The Revolutionary Black Panther Occasion is perhaps. Any of those variations of Black Panther events is perhaps. However the Black Panther Occasion for Self-Protection — the one Huey Newton began with Bobby Seale — is an internationalist group that stands as allies with oppressed folks, it doesn’t matter what their ethnic background is, it doesn’t matter what their cultural background is.”
