Members of the Black Panther Party were present at anti ICE protests in Philadelphia this week and stated they are the same self defense organization founded in the 1960s.
The Black Panthers are actively opposing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), accusing the agency of kidnapping and killing people in their communities.
Paul Birdsong, national chairman of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense, said the group is in Philadelphia to hold ICE accountable and will not allow murder or terror against the community. Birdsong said the party is taking a more aggressive approach to confronting federal immigration enforcement.
Paul Birdsong, national chairman of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense, said the group is in Philadelphia to hold ICE accountable and will not allow murder or terror against the community.
Birdsong and other members were seen openly carrying rifles at demonstrations and did not cover their faces. Photos and videos from protests in Philadelphia show armed members of the Black Panther Party standing alongside demonstrators near federal buildings and public spaces.
Local African American activists have suggested on social media the need for a Black Panther chapter in Tulsa, citing the city’s historic national relevance as a center of Black economic and political life.
If you or someone you know is organizing the party in Tulsa, please contact us by email or direct message. We will continue reporting as more details become available.
