Group says it will deploy armed guards to some polling places during runoff

ATLANTA, Ga. — The New Black Panther Party said it will deploy armed guards to some polling places on the night of Georgia’s Senate runoff.

Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes was at a news conference Monday where the group promised armed patrols near voting locations as people go to the polls.

The New Black Panther Party said what it is doing is completely legal and its goal is voter security, not suppression.

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Representatives who spoke made it clear that they are not endorsing either candidate, they’re just encouraging everyone to exercise their right to vote and they are not standing for any voter intimidation.

“The community needs to arm themselves and form patrols,” a spokesperson said.

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A representative from the New Black Panther Party and a representative from the Black Lawyers for Justice group said they decided to act because they are tired of Black men and women getting shot doing things like taking a jog in a white neighborhood, referencing the Ahmaud Arbery case.

“We stand as citizens, we stand as those who are worried about life and preservation while we look out for your life and preservation,” a representative said. “This is not a threat, this is a legal position that we are taking. We are in position so that if anything happens to anyone, we are here to offer you legal representation and security. And may the best person win.”

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