WASHINGTON, D.C. — Malik Shabazz, Esq., Attorney and leader of the New Black Panther Party for Self Defense, announced today that members of the New Black Panther Party will begin patrolling the streets of Jena, Louisiana this week to protect the Jena 6 families and Black Jena residents against open and imminent alleged threats from Ku Klux Klan and other White supremacist advocating violence.
Dr. Shabazz announced that the New Black Panther Party was spearheading a coalition entitled The Security and Protection Committee of the Jena 6 (SPC-Jena 6) which would include several organizations and volunteers from around the nation that will coordinate and protect against Neo-Nazi and Ku Klux Klan groups operating in that part of Louisiana. This coalition will include: the New Black Panther Party for Self Defense, the Millions More Movement, the Black Muslims, volunteers from the local Jena Community, and National Civil Rights Organizations. The coalition will coordinate and lead an all volunteer effort that will man shifts and provide personal security for the Jena 6 families as well as local residents under the threat of Klan intimidation in the wake of the successful September 20th mass demonstration in Jena and around the U.S.
Recently, several White Supremacist websites posted the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the Jena 6 families, urging White Citizens to “do Justice to the Jena 6.” Several families of the Jena 6 have received threatening and harassing phone calls by racist white supremacists and other Klan types groups while hanging nooses have subsequently appeared in areas also occupied by confederate flags. Sadly, the Jena police department and the county Sheriff have announced that they would not provide protection for the families of the Jena 6 under threat.
Malik Shabazz, Esq. stated, “Black leadership, we have a moral and ethical obligation to secure the safety and security of the Jena 6 families and the Black residents of Jena, Louisiana. The New Black Panther Party, the Millions More Movement, and other volunteers from civil rights organizations will spearhead a nationwide call to provide security, patrols units, and protection for the families and residents over the upcoming months. This threat is real. The September 20th protest, which we were aided in organizing, has created a resentment and backlash in certain quarters of Jena’s white community. In the spirit of the Deacons of Defense, we intend to exercise our full range of legal rights of defense and protection to ensure that this very real threat of violence is neutralized. I want to be clear; in the name of God we as Black Men will not stand idly by and be weak in this hour. FREE MYCHAL BELL!!! FREE MYCHAL BELL!!! AND FREE THE JENA 6.”
The New Black Panther Party has the experience to handle this assignment, as witnessed in Jasper, Texas in 1998 when the New Black Panthers chased the Klan from Jasper following the beheading of James Byrd Jr. The Millions More Movement, a coalition of activist organizations that was inspired by the Million Man March of 1995 and the Millions More Movement of 2005, also brings an array of well seasoned organizers. Attorney Malik Shabazz, the leader and attorney for the New Black Panther Party is also the President of Black Lawyers for Justice (BLFJ) and a national Co-Convener of the Millions More Movement. The New Black Panther Party is in 36 Cities across America, including Africa, England, and the Caribbean. All were active in organizing the September 20th March.
For information on how to join the Security and Protection Committee for the Jena 6 (SPC-Jena 6) contact us by phone at (202) 397-4577 or on the web at www.blacklawyers4justice.org or www.blackpowermovement.org
Send2Press(R) is the originating wire service for this story – www.Send2Press.com
NEWS SOURCE: The New Black Panther Party
