Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Birdsong, Deputy Chairman Of The United Empires Panther Party For Self-Defense
Hi Paul, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
We are the Panther Party for self-defense, to designate ourselves from other groups using the name, we are The United empires and the Almighty Alkebulan Guard. We push for the protection of the black man, woman and child by any means necessary. We have a simple formula, we unify, then educate, then we demonstrate to liberate. We are under the tutelage of the original Black Panther Party as members such a Jomo and KNG not only guide us but they march and mobilize in community efforts with us as well. We have a simple ideology in regards to clashes and civil unrest- “We mean no harm, but we will accept no harm”. We are engaged in such efforts as community patrols, community clean ups, free weekly barbeques, enrolling black children in black owned and operated schools such as Goshen Hebrew Academy, enrolling children in the 123 Reading program as well as free self defense training, gun safety training, conflict resolution and crisis management classes. We also do ethnic identity courses helping people trace their lineage and figure out what tribe they descend from and we are currently purchasing the land to create a homeland for our people.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We have faced numerous struggles such as clashes with the KKK with our chapter in Michigan, we’ve had stand offs with the national guard and local law enforcement. Our Southern California chapter has faced arrest at city hall. We’ve had clashes with local white militias and the proud boys. But we have yet to lose in any conflict we have faced. We also have trouble getting our own people to work together due to years of programming. But we keep going knowing our fight is one that can’t be ignored or walked away from.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
People see us in our leather bomber jackets with our Beret hats and they automatically peg us as mean and violent. In contrast, We are here for the people, we are the People’s army to defend the people against racism, imperialism, fascism, systematic oppression, the prison industrial complex, the school to prison pipeline, and systematically and racially inflicted poverty. We definitely are making strides in these areas with the classes that we offer the community. Also our community barbecues are a great way for people from the community who otherwise wouldn’t even speak to one another to get to know one another and connect. The number one remedy for the affliction of the black community is unity.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Unrelenting resolve. Our unrelenting resolve is what separates us from the rest. We don’t give up, we don’t quit, we don’t surrender, and we don’t stop until the job is done. The revolution does not afford it’s hero’s breaks, the work is continuous.
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