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Mukasey Says New Black Panther Party|Intimidated Voters, Black and White

PHILADELPHIA (CN) - Attorney General Michael Mukasey says the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense intimidated voters and poll workers on Election Day, and encouraged its members to disrupt polling places throughout the country.

Mukasey claims two individual defendants made racial threats and insults to black and white voters while brandishing a deadly weapon - a club - 8 to 15 feet from the polling place.

Mukasey sued three men as individuals: Malik Zulu Shabazz "is the self-styled 'Attorney at War' of the defendant New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, and exercises organizational control as head, of chairman, of the defendant New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense."

"Defendant Minister King Samir Shabazz aka Maurice Heath is a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is leader of the Philadelphia chapter of the defendant New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense.

"Defendant Jerry Jackson is a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Philadelphia chapter of the defendant New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense.

"Defendants New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, Malik Zulu Shabazz, Samir Shabazz, and Jerry Jackson have engaged in coercion, threats, and intimidation, and attempted coercion, threats, and intimidation of voters, and those aiding voters, in violation of Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, 42 U.S.C. § 1973i(b)," the complaint states.

Mukasey claims the men deployed in military uniforms on election day, Samir Shabazz brandishing a club, and that "Samir Shabazz pointed the weapon at individuals, menacingly tapped it in his other hand, or menacingly tapped it elsewhere. This activity occurred approximately eight to fifteen feet from the entrance to the polling location. Defendant Samir Shabazz was accompanied by defendant Jerry Jackson during this activity, and the two men stood side by side, in apparent formation, throughout most of this deployment."

Mukasey claims the party "posted notice that over 200 members of the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense would be deployed at polling locations during voting on November 4, 2008, throughout the United States."

Mukasey demands an injunction and costs.

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