The Black Panthers had so much success at preventing police violence by simply showing up with guns when the cops came that Reagan made it illegal to open carry in California.
My understanding is they succeeded partly by being the bigger force. You can do that when the enemy is a small local police force with the weapons of that time. However it’s not the same when it’s a larger militarized federal force that is already claiming “total
Immunity”.
If they have the overwhelming force and believe they have no limits, escalating will only escalate their response.
But legally they don’t have “total immunity”. Legally there are limitations. Legally there are civil rights. Pursuing it through the courts is slow and uncertain, but much more likely to succeed
The Black Panthers had so much success at preventing police violence by simply showing up with guns when the cops came that Reagan made it illegal to open carry in California.
They succeeded because they emphasized education and community.
Being an armed militia willing to die for their cause was secondary.
My understanding is they succeeded partly by being the bigger force. You can do that when the enemy is a small local police force with the weapons of that time. However it’s not the same when it’s a larger militarized federal force that is already claiming “total Immunity”.
If they have the overwhelming force and believe they have no limits, escalating will only escalate their response.
But legally they don’t have “total immunity”. Legally there are limitations. Legally there are civil rights. Pursuing it through the courts is slow and uncertain, but much more likely to succeed