Armed Black Panther Party members appeared at a Philadelphia anti-ICE protest carrying military-style weapons, warning federal agents against using force while positioning themselves as community protectors following the controversial shooting death of an unarmed American citizen by an ICE agent.
Story Snapshot
- Black Panther Party for Self-Defense mobilized with legal firearms at Philadelphia City Hall protest on January 8, 2026
- Response to fatal shooting of Renee Good, unarmed U.S. citizen, by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis
- Group chairman Paul Birdsong issued direct warnings to federal agents with explicit confrontational language
- Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner actively opposes federal ICE operations, threatening prosecution of federal agents
- Weekly demonstrations planned at local ICE field office as part of sustained resistance campaign
Armed Community Protection Emerges in Philadelphia
The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense transformed a routine anti-ICE demonstration into a heavily armed standoff when members appeared at Philadelphia City Hall carrying legally permitted military-style weapons. The January 8 mobilization came just one day after ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Good, an unarmed U.S. citizen, in Minneapolis. Paul Birdsong, serving as both Philadelphia chapter chairman and national chairman, declared his organization would serve as armed protectors for vulnerable communities facing federal enforcement.
Birdsong made his intentions unmistakably clear with confrontational warnings directed at federal agents. He stated “That wouldn’t have happened if we were there” regarding Good’s death, adding “Not a single person would have gotten touched.” His message escalated with direct threats: “Won’t no ICE agent ever run up on me. I guarantee you.” The group’s tactical philosophy centers on superior firepower, with Birdsong advising supporters to “arm yourself with something bigger than what they got.”
Federal Authority Meets Local Resistance
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner created a powder keg environment by explicitly warning ICE agents to stay out of his jurisdiction. His public declaration “Don’t even try this in Philly” accompanied threats to prosecute federal agents for crimes committed during enforcement operations. This sanctuary city positioning places Philadelphia’s local law enforcement in direct opposition to federal immigration priorities, creating a legal and operational battleground that armed activist groups now occupy.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended the Minneapolis shooting, characterizing agent Ross as performing his duties and suggesting “absolute immunity” without full investigation. This federal backing of controversial enforcement actions while local authorities actively resist creates an unprecedented three-way confrontation between federal power, local governance, and armed community mobilization that threatens to spiral beyond anyone’s control.
Strategic Community Defense Operations
The Black Panther Party’s approach extends far beyond protest theater into comprehensive community protection strategy. Birdsong outlined specific tactical recommendations including community members escorting immigrants to and from locations to shield them from ICE enforcement. The group has committed to sustained operations with planned demonstrations every Monday morning outside Philadelphia’s ICE field office, establishing a permanent armed presence in the federal enforcement landscape.
This contemporary iteration claims connection to the original 1960s Black Panther Party founded by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale, though leaders acknowledge being “a little more aggressive now.” The legal framework supporting their actions relies on Pennsylvania’s open carry laws, creating a constitutional protection for armed activism that federal authorities cannot easily challenge. However, the escalating rhetoric and superior firepower philosophy suggests this movement prioritizes confrontation over de-escalation, raising serious questions about where this trajectory leads when federal agents encounter armed resistance during routine operations.
Sources:
Black Enterprise – Black Panther Party resurges at Philadelphia ICE protect
San Antonio Observer – Black Panther Party Philadelphia ICE tensions