Photo: AFP
Members of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense’s Philadelphia chapter appeared at an anti-ICE demonstration last week, saying they were there to protect the public following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent in Minneapolis.
The group showed up at a protest outside Philadelphia City Hall, wearing black bomber jackets with the panther logo, berets, and carrying military-style firearms, which they said they were legally permitted to carry.
Paul Birdsong, who identified himself as chairman of the Philadelphia chapter, said their presence was meant to deter violence and protect demonstrators.
When asked about the January 7 shooting of Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis, Birdsong told The Philadelphia Inquirer, “That wouldn’t have happened if we were there. Not a single person would have gotten touched.”
“Won’t no ICE agent ever run up on me. I guarantee you.” Birdsong added, “Unarmed woman was killed by ICE. If you think you about to come and brutalize the people while we’re standing here, f— around and find out.”
Birdsong described the group as a continuation of the original Black Panther Party, founded in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, which organized armed patrols to monitor police activity and ran community programs such as free breakfast initiatives, health clinics, and schools.
“We’re the same Panther Party from back in the day, but we’re a little more aggressive now,” Birdsong said in a statement.
The group is calling for ICE to be abolished and for President Donald Trump and his administration to be held accountable for immigration enforcement practices.
“Those who serve in the public, they should be fearful of the public,” Birdsong said. “They should be fearful that the public is going to be dissatisfied with their job… not feeling like they’re tyrants, not feeling like they’re bullies because they got guns and body armor.”
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