The Black Panther Party is having a resurgence in the wake of growing protests in Minnesota. But while many Black Americans are praising the new Panthers for protecting civilians and standing up for civil rights, one descendent of a Black Panther founder isn’t happy about the party’s revival.
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We previously told you tensions in Minneapolis have been at an all time high since ICE agent Jonathan Ross killed Renee Good over two weeks ago. President Donald Trump consequently sent 2,000 more immigration officers into the city as protests continue to take over. In the face of more armed agents on the streets, however, self-proclaimed members of a new Black Panther movement are hitting the streets just as they once did in the ’60s.
Members of Philadelphia’s chapter of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense recently pulled up to an anti-ICE protest at Philadelphia City Hall. They were dressed in all-black bomber jackets and berets with the panther logo on it. The members also carried military-style firearms reminiscent of the Panthers in the ’60s and ’70s.
Paul Birdsong, who identifies as the chairman of the Philadelphia Panther chapter, told The Philadelphia Inquirer they’re showing up in the community in direct response to President Trump.
“You got people that are part of a cabal, that are self serving… and they prey on the common folks of the United States,” Birdsong said. He added that if the new Panthers were there when ICE agents approached Good on Jan. 6, she wouldn’t have been killed.
“That wouldn’t have happened if we were there,” Birdsong continued. “Not a single person would have gotten touched.” The new movement is calling for ICE’s abolishment and full accountability from the Trump administration.
According to Birdsong, the new Panther members were trained and mentored by some of the original party’s surviving members. The group is described as a continuation of the original Black Panther Party, which was founded Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966.
“We’re the same Panther Party from back in the day, but we’re a little more aggressive now,” Birdsong told the Inquirer. But despite the new movement claiming to be connected to the OG Panthers, one of Newton’s own relatives is not here for any of it. She posted her own video reacting to Birdsong and the Panther resurgence.
“My name is Myesha Newton. My father’s name was Walter Newton. He was the brother of Huey Percy Newton, who started the Black Panther Party in Oakland, California,” she began in the video. “I got birth certificate paperwork and a whole bunch of Newtons.”
Myesha continued warning the new Black Panther Party that she’ll be taking legal action against the group claiming to continue her uncle’s legacy. “I’m about to get a cease and desist order against you and I’m about to sue you,” Myesha declared. “You are not going to defame my uncle’s name like that. We’re not doing that. See you in court, b*****s.”
The Philly-based Panthers haven’t responded to Myesha’s demand. Birdsong said he was recruited by members of the Black Panther Party after the murder of George Floyd in 2020. According to Birdsong, the city chapter has “less than 100″ members.
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