Justice Department Seeks Injunction Against New Black Panther Party

Lawsuit Seeks to Prohibit Voter Intimidation in Future Elections

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Justice Department today
filed a lawsuit under the Voting Rights Act against the New Black Panther
Party for Self-Defense and three of its members alleging that the defendants
intimidated voters and those aiding them during the Nov. 4, 2008, general
election.

The complaint, filed in the United States District Court in Philadelphia,
alleges that, during the election, Minister King Samir Shabazz and Jerry
Jackson were deployed at the entrance to a Philadelphia polling location
wearing the uniform of the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, and that
Samir Shabazz repeatedly brandished a police-style baton weapon.

"Intimidation outside of a polling place is contrary to the democratic
process," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Grace Chung Becker. "The
Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed to protect the fundamental right to vote
and the Department takes allegations of voter intimidation seriously."

According to the complaint, party Chairman Malik Zulu Shabazz confirmed that
the placement of Samir Shabazz and Jackson in Philadelphia was part of a
nationwide effort to deploy New Black Panther Party members at polling
locations on Election Day. The complaint alleges a violation of Section 11(b)
of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits intimidation, coercion or
threats against "any person for voting or attempting to vote." The Department
seeks an injunction preventing any future deployment of, or display of weapons
by, New Black Panther Party members at the entrance to polling locations.

The New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, which claims active chapters
nationwide, is distinct from the Black Panther Party founded by Bobby Seale in
the 1960s.

The Civil Rights Division enforces the Voting Rights Act of 1965. To file
complaints about discriminatory voting practices, including acts of harassment
or intimidation, voters may call the Voting Section of the Civil Rights
Division at 1-800-253-3931. More information about the Voting Rights Act and
other federal voting laws is available on the Department of Justice's web site
at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting/index.php.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice

U.S. Department of Justice, +1-202-514-2007, TDD +1-202-514-1888