Black Panthers vs Fox News Reporter At Polling Place In Philadelphia (VIDEO)

Fox News' Rick Leventhal reported live from the polling place where Black Panthers were allegedly intimidating voters Tuesday afternoon.

A University of Pennsylvania student reported that a Black Panther wielding a "night stick" intimidated voters at a polling place in Philadelphia (video below). The Black Panther allegedly claimed he was "tired of white supremacy." An Obama volunteer on the scene disputed this account, saying there was no intimidation of voters occurring at the polling place.

When Leventhal went to investigate, he got into a confrontation with a Black Panther — a certified poll watcher — who denied the story and told Leventhal in no uncertain terms that he was not welcome at the polling place. Leventhal disputed his claims, citing election law which allows him to be within 10 feet of the entrance.

Leventhal could not confirm that the Black Panthers were on the scene intimidating voters, saying, "There's been no disturbances that I'm aware of, except what we've encountered here. But again, I want to make very clear, we don't know that any voters were denied entrance to this polling facility. We don't know that anyone was intimidated to the point that they decided not to vote here, but that was what some people were concerned might be happening with two Black Panthers, one of them holding a nightstick, out front."

Watch:

Watch the original student video below:

Read more about Election 2008 coverage here.

Comments

[DocKenny]

Typical Fox News, blowing things up out of proportion.

[LolaBgood]

Let me just state for the record: as a 47 year ol white gal in Houston TX, I was far more intimidated by the oh way too slick and groomed, scrubbed and pristine white men that were approaching me in their suit & tie while I was waiting in line to vote - than I would be by these two brothers standing at the front of an entrance to a polling place in their neighborhood and personally while it might not have been the wisest, like somebody said- we don't know this neighborhood- I support them being there to ensure that voters are not disenfranchised AGAIN... and to send in FOX news reporters - now, that is intimidating... listen to the supposed students with the camera phone " ughhh, you got my back??? " he was trying to stir something up...

If I have to deal with ugly Repugnants- I don't see a problem with a Black Panther being a certified poll official and protecting the rights of those voters!!!

OBAMA/BIDEN 2008/2012

[formerprosecutor]

I admit it; me too and I am "part of the "man".

[grantlingel]

well I saw a white cop with a GUN at my poll in Harlem.. so everyone stop crying.. especially you fox news.. and McCain.. who cares who is there?
http://grantlingel.blogspot.com

[Wigelah]

Next thing you know, someone will be mugged and a backwards B scratched into their cheek. It's all fun and games until a backwards B is scratched into a cheek.

[Hare]

How much did FOX paid these black men again? AMAZING, sorry it didn't even make the real news. what a waste of cash

[starfire426]

I think most of the intimidation was coming from the FOX NOISE reporter who was attempting to make a non issue into an issue. It was made clear that the gentleman who was a Black Panther had the right to be there as was clarified by a poll worker.

What also was clarified was that the reporter was to stay 10 feet away from the entrance of the polling location...WHICH HE DID NOT...by continuing to instigate some type of confrontation with the Black Panther gentleman. If there's no news FOX will always try and create some!!! Absolutely pitiful!!!

[mediamarv]

There is a right wingnut website called newsbusters or something like that, which is filled with comments from the truly weird and they are all calling this the biggest story of the campaign. It's just mind blowing to see such overt, blatant, and apparently non-apologetic stupidity being displayed.
Of course, Faux is their only source. They quote exclusively Faux stories and that clip above.

Pathetic, except these people are allowed to breed.

[jdmba]

Ooooh, a scary Black man with a stick! Please. The way the Rethugs have been intimidating voters with lawyers and lies, these kids are small potatoes.

[formerprosecutor]

Ok; every poster is viewong this situation from their own perspective (of their own "feelings"; "neighborhood", and voting places). I am trying to put myself in that place and time. We don't know any history. There presence may have nothing to do with voting whatsoever. Perhaps that is a high crime area. There are all sorts of "little ol' ladies andmen, coming out o ftheir housing , maybe for the first time in weeks, to venture out to vote. These elders are frigtened and vulnerable . If I was acrack head, I wouldn't try to snatch a pusre or panhandle with those guys standing there. Like wise, If I was a "guard" I wouldn't be candid with some white guy with a camera and admit that this IS a high crime arae and "we" are ther to make sure nobody gets mugged or other wise harassed. If I was an old "gramma" and got off the shuttle or my grand neices car; I would find it reassuring that there will be no nensense with these bug black brothers looking our for "trouble makers". Consider the the time and place.

[KaoticX]

If the gentleman as a poll watcher, who cares that he is there, in uniform or not. Some people are intimidated by black men without uniform. Doesn't mean they shouldn't be there. Some people would be intimidated by a large white gentleman in leather chaps and a motorcycle club vest. Doesn't mean he shouldn't be a poll watcher either. The nightstick however is simply a bad idea and there was no reason to have it there. Unfortunate this occurred and even more unfortunate it was caught on camera to be spun into something much larger than the current video suggests it to be.

[peskyliberal]

After 2000, I don't have a problem people protecting voters. Republicans threaten to challenge voters, and voters have a right to vote without being harassed.

I know, big black guys can be scary to some, but all you have to do is you tube the 1960's. Those men have not harmed anyone.

[Rob61872]

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20081029_New_Panthers__war_on_whites.html

This was the guy wielding the night stick.

The fact that ANYONE like this guy is a certified poll watcher is disgusting.

[helen]

The Black Panthers should not be there. That is a big mistake and the police should clear them out for the off chance they might be an "intimidating" presence.... to white reporters... ;)

Really, those two guys should not be there... It's just not appropriate.

[topkatnc]

Helen I agree with you on this one. SHOULD NOT BE THERE!

[JerryFreeman]

I agree, although I doubt very seriously that anyone was intimidated, there really shouldn't be anyone standing outside with a stick, self proclaiming themselves security.

[seattle8changes]

white, black, doesn't matter, get your stick out of the way--
black panthers imitating southern cops doesn't help
anyone.
--obamavoter

[georgiagirl4life]

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL! WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER PEOPLE SO LET'S NOT GET DISTRACTED.

[wdw101]

i shifting into obstruction mode if "that one" gets in

[canucklivinginUSA]

OH FFS