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Do you think these Black Panthers should be prosecuted for voter intimidation?

Should these Black Panthers be prosecuted?

  • Yes

    Votes: 43 86.0%
  • No

    Votes: 4 8.0%
  • Other

    Votes: 3 6.0%

  • Total voters
    50
Do you not support the right of Tea Party members to publicly demonstrate their 2nd Amendment right? do you think that blacks don't have the same rights?

No I don't approve of the Tea Party waving guns and night sticks around in front of polling centers. I also don't support the BPP waving weapons around in front of polling centers.

After looking through this video I can't say that they were intimidating. If they were yelling and berating people and preaching while waving their weapons I would have a problem with it. However, they actually seemed almost polite. I say a no go on the prosecution of these guys.
 
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I get the impression people here want to see the guy prosecuted for being a member of his organisation. If it is a prohibited organisation, so be it too.

I have zero prejudices against the BPP, as should be evident in this thread. Someone doesn't have to have the stuffing beaten out of them to meet the threshold of "threats."
 
I have zero prejudices against the BPP, as should be evident in this thread. Someone doesn't have to have the stuffing beaten out of them to meet the threshold of "threats."

I wasn't insinuating that YOU do have prejudices against the BPP. It wasn't you I was referring to. But what in the video do you think constituted threatening behaviour?
 
Would it be ok for the KKK to stand outside a polling center holding weapons? Even if they weren't screaming or beating people, they were still intimidating voters and should be prosecuted for it.
 
Would it be ok for the KKK to stand outside a polling center holding weapons? Even if they weren't screaming or beating people, they were still intimidating voters and should be prosecuted for it.

As far as I am aware Digs, neither group is illegal, so showing up at a polling station by their members is not an offence. If the KKK, as perhaps they do, act in a similar way to how the guys on the video behaved, there would be no problem. I wouldn't like it, but then I didn't like the look of the BBP guys either. Until they do something that constitutes harrassment or intimidation, they have the right to be there, don't they? Isn't this a bit like the presence of the Westboro Fruit-loops turning up at military funerals?
 
Would it be ok for the KKK to stand outside a polling center holding weapons? Even if they weren't screaming or beating people, they were still intimidating voters and should be prosecuted for it.

Yes it would be. Just standing there with a stick? Yeah, I can't say I have problem with that. Just because the KKK is full of a bunch of racist assholes you can't take away their rights when they haven't infringed on yours.
 
America tends to take a hard stance on voting rights and specifically, conduct regarding elections. For instance, candidates (and their supporters and signs) aren't allowed within a thousand feet of a polling station, and specific measures are taken to ensure that elections aren't tampered with. Based upon that, and the fact that their actions could have been interpreted as threatening, I believe that they should be prosecuted. This is a case that I believe should be decided, by jury, and not as an administrative decision in DOJ.

Simply 100% false, at least not here in the Pittsburgh PA area there are no such rules/laws and if their are nobody enforces them.

Now with that said Im not saying nothing wrong happened in philly just saying the above is not true
 
Would it be ok for the KKK to stand outside a polling center holding weapons? Even if they weren't screaming or beating people, they were still intimidating voters and should be prosecuted for it.

Well if the video looked the same then again not sure what evidence there would be for prosocution but having said that the KKK and the BPP are in no why what so ever equal, the example is apples and oranges.
 
Here is Nigel Coleman, a leader in the Virginia Tea party, holding a hangman of Democratic Congressman Frank Kratovil in front of his office.

hangingKratovil-1.jpg


He also planned to light effigies of Nancy Pelosi and Tom Perriello. He hasn't been arrested or accused of intimidation. I saw no mention of this on news outlets, ESPECIALLY Fox News. But, as soon as they get video of a Black Panther with a billy club, they're all over it. I wonder, where are your priorities, Fox News?

It seems to me that Conservatives are all about the right to bear arms wherever they please, but as soon as the other side begins to do the same, they cry foul. The Second Amendment applies outside of a place of polling just as much as it applies in Washington D.C., where Tea Partiers marched with their guns.
 
I wasn't insinuating that YOU do have prejudices against the BPP. It wasn't you I was referring to. But what in the video do you think constituted threatening behaviour?

Standing directly outside the door to the polling area in uniform with a visible weapon. I wouldn't like it if a cop were doing this, either. We have a long history with this issue, Andalablue. Blacks in the south were terrorized away from voting for years by gestures like this. It's no less menacing now that the color of the threat has shifted.
 
Simply 100% false, at least not here in the Pittsburgh PA area there are no such rules/laws and if their are nobody enforces them.

Now with that said Im not saying nothing wrong happened in philly just saying the above is not true

These laws vary from state to state. In our area, it's 1000 feet.

Here's an article on the subject: How to Campaign Near a Polling Place | eHow.com

Beyond that, the laws are even more strict in Pennsylvania, which prohibits "passive electioneering."

'Electioneering' law clothed in confusion - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
 
America tends to take a hard stance on voting rights and specifically, conduct regarding elections. For instance, candidates (and their supporters and signs) aren't allowed within a thousand feet of a polling station, and specific measures are taken to ensure that elections aren't tampered with. Based upon that, and the fact that their actions could have been interpreted as threatening, I believe that they should be prosecuted. This is a case that I believe should be decided, by jury, and not as an administrative decision in DOJ.

A thousand feet? In Georgia, it is 50 yards (150 feet). When I was running for office, I was outside a polling space (more than 50 yards away) with signs and handing out literature and I was asked (very politely I might add) to leave even though I was entirely within my rights.

Andulablue said:
For what specifically, based on the evidence you've seen in the video?
In this case, you have militants in military garb with weapons outside a polling place. It is entirely reasonable that white people would feel threatened in such an atmosphere. Just that threat is a violation of federal laws.

Yes, there IS enough evidence in that video to convict based on federal law. That Obama/Holder is dropping this case is sad and a travesty of justice...
 
Here is Nigel Coleman, a leader in the Virginia Tea party, holding a hangman of Democratic Congressman Frank Kratovil in front of his office.

hangingKratovil-1.jpg


He also planned to light effigies of Nancy Pelosi and Tom Perriello. He hasn't been arrested or accused of intimidation. I saw no mention of this on news outlets, ESPECIALLY Fox News. But, as soon as they get video of a Black Panther with a billy club, they're all over it. I wonder, where are your priorities, Fox News?

It seems to me that Conservatives are all about the right to bear arms wherever they please, but as soon as the other side begins to do the same, they cry foul. The Second Amendment applies outside of a place of polling just as much as it applies in Washington D.C., where Tea Partiers marched with their guns.

Was this done outside a polling place while election day was in process?
 
These laws vary from state to state. In our area, it's 1000 feet.

Here's an article on the subject: How to Campaign Near a Polling Place | eHow.com

Beyond that, the laws are even more strict in Pennsylvania, which prohibits "passive electioneering."

'Electioneering' law clothed in confusion - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

again like i said its not enforced if it is a law and the artical says its not defined, i cant recall anybody ever being inside the voting room but outside in the parking lot, up the walk way and in the hall way there are signs, supporters with shirts and signs and they hand you buttons and pamphlets while you walk by and say catch phrases and even ask for "moments of your time" sometimes. They tell you who to vote every year.

so like i said you statment in general is false BUT i would be interested to know what the laws are in Philly but either way the video at hand provides about zero evidence of intimidation. Again not defending what they did just saying we have to go by the video and theres little there. For coviction there would have to be way more
 
so like i said you statment in general is false BUT i would be interested to know what the laws are in Philly but either way the video at hand provides about zero evidence of intimidation. Again not defending what they did just saying we have to go by the video and theres little there. For coviction there would have to be way more

Wearing Black Panther militant garb, threatening a citizen who has a poll watcher certificate, BRAHDISHING A NIGHT STICK!!! That is CLEAR violation of the law. I have gone through poll watching classes when I lived in Georgia and this is absolutely a violation of the law. Poll watchers and voters reported that they felt intimidated. That is clear intimidation...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BemSmTNDxU&feature=related
 
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Wearing Black Panther militant garb, threatening a citizen who has a poll watcher certificate, BRAHDISHING A NIGHT STICK!!! That is CLEAR violation of the law. I have gone through poll watching classes when I lived in Georgia and this is absolutely a violation of the law. Poll watchers and voters reported that they felt intimidated. That is clear intimidation...

YouTube - Eric Holder Drops Charges on Black Panthers for Voter Intimidation - Bill O'Reilly Reports

actually it is not and you must have watched i different video I saw no one get threatened LMAO
again Im actually do not want to defend what they did but what you said simply didnt happen on the video

to be honest on the video I see two people that COULD look intimidating but wouldnt bother me and when actually talked to the guy seemed pretty polite and even had a "non-stereotypical" tone and soft sounding voice LOL and i just see people coming and going like they arent even there

again if they did other things and there are witnesses etc etc then try to prosecute but if the video is all the defense would have then they got notta
 
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YouTube - BLACK PANTHERS ATTACK VOTERS IN PHILLY VOTING PLACE

YouTube - Fox News Confronts Black Panther at Polls

A Black Panther wielding a nightstick is a CLEAR violation of the law and should be prosecuted. I know people not from the US may not understand the sensitive nature of election law in the United States. I will not condemn that, but please understand that US law and regulations are different than those in various European countries.

Amen, and America is not subject to European law. That's why our early ancestors left the oppression of European laws to come to America for freedom.
 
Wearing known militant garb and brandishing a nightstick while spouting racist rhetoric IS intiminating to many people and IS a violation of the voting rights act.
 
Wearing known militant garb and brandishing a nightstick while spouting racist rhetoric IS intiminating to many people and IS a violation of the voting rights act.

anybody got video of that happening?
and what type of "racist rhetoric"? by whos opinion?
 
actually it is not and you must have watched i different video I saw no one get threatened LMAO
again Im actually do not want to defend what they did but what you said simply didnt happen on the video

to be honest on the video I see two people that COULD look intimidating but wouldnt bother me and when actually talked to the guy seemed pretty polite and even had a "non-sterotypical" tone and soft sounding voice LOL

again if they did other things and there are wittnesses etc etc then try to prosocute but if the video is all the defense would have then they got notta

Didn't you just watch the video where the citizen was interviewed and told the news reporter how menacing the Black Panther was acting?

Just because you saw no one get threatened in the particular video you watched does not mean they did not threaten voters. A video could not be made of all their actions. When someone takes your picture, don't you smile for the camera, even though you may feel bad or be in a bad mood? So it was with the Black Panthers. They were on their best behavior when they knew they were being watched. Yet, why did the skinny Panther keep slapping his other hand with the baton? That is a threatening action.
 
anybody got video of that happening?
and what type of "racist rhetoric"? by whos opinion?

So, if I stood in front of you brandishing a night stick, you would not consider that threatening?
 
If we were wearing our bicycle shorts, he would probably break out in laughter... but in Black Panter garb (or white KKK garb) that would clearly be seen by reasonable people as threatening. (for the record, as a member of a group targeted by the KKK, I would feel nearly as threatened by them as I would by these Black Panthers)
 
Didn't you just watch the video where the citizen was interviewed and told the news reporter how menacing the Black Panther was acting?

Just because you saw no one get threatened in the particular video you watched does not mean they did not threaten voters. A video could not be made of all their actions. When someone takes your picture, don't you smile for the camera, even though you may feel bad or be in a bad mood? So it was with the Black Panthers. They were on their best behavior when they knew they were being watched. Yet, why did the skinny Panther keep slapping his other hand with the baton? That is a threatening action.

Yes I did but that doesnt change anything
like i said again if theres real evidence, prosucute,convict away but the video proves nothing and neither do a coupel wittness it will become hearsay, thats my point

if the video was better,or some other evidence then throw the book at them! but i dont see that?
Trust me I dont want anybody to itimidate voters i just dont see any clear conviction here what so ever and if i was a judge id be forced to dismiss BUT thats only with MY knowledge of the law, im nobody lol there may be a very clearl law the violated I dont know about, but currently i see none
 
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