The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit under the Voting Rights Act against the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense (NBPPSD) and three of its members alleging the defendants intimidated Philadelphia voters during the Nov. 4 general election.

The complaint, filed in the United States District Court in Philadelphia, alleges that on Election Day, in Philadelphia, NBPPSD members Samir Shabazz and Jerry Jackson were stationed at the entrance to a polling location at 1221 Fairmount Ave., wearing the uniform of the organization. It also states Mr. Shabazz repeatedly brandished a “police-style baton weapon.” The NBPPSD was designated an active black supremacist hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). At the time the incident occurred, Lovida Coleman, a lawyer for the McCain campaign’s Honest and Open Election Committee, was told by one of the men that he was a “committee person for the 14th Ward, 4th Division.” She was also told that the two men “were members of the Philadelphia Democratic Party and they were authorized to be there.”

The complaint said that NBPPSD Chairman Malik Zulu Shabazz confirmed that the placement of Messrs. Shabazz and Jackson was part of a nationwide effort to deploy NBPPSD members at polling locations on Election Day. But this conflicts with a contemporaneous statement the NBPPSD posted on its Web site that the actions of the two individuals were not endorsed by the organization.

The Justice Department is seeking an injunction to prevent any similar future actions by NBPPSD members at polling locations.

“Intimidation outside of a polling place is contrary to the democratic process,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Grace Chung Becker. “The Voting Rights Act was passed to protect the fundamental right to vote and the Department takes allegations of voter intimidation seriously.”

This federal action is at odds with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, which determined on Election Day there were no illegalities. Peter Berson, assistant district attorney and supervisor of Election Day complaints, said that there was no reason to arrest the individuals.

“You may not have liked it, or like what the guy was wearing, but he wasn’t doing anything illegal,” he said at the time.

The District Attorney’s office declined comment because of the pending litigation by the Justice Department.

Michael P. Tremoglie can be contacted at mtremoglie@thebulletin.us

Feds Sue Supremacist Group For Voter Intimidation

BY MICHAEL P. TREMOGLIE, THE BULLETIN