“They don’t relate to us, and they aren’t patient. Rakem Balogun, a 31-year-old member of the HPNGC and the Guerrilla Mainframe, a Dallas-based organisation that teaches the importance of nutrition, organic farming, and the benefits of vegetarianism to the black community, echoed Omowale’s sentiments concerning police interaction with his community.

This is so they can protect their families first, and their communities second,” Omowale said, planting his finger firmly on the table with calm determination for each point. “What we are promoting is that all black men and women who are legally able to buy weapons arm themselves. The guiding ideology behind HPNGC comes from Point 7 of Newton’s 10-Point Programme, which contends that police brutality can be ended by “ organising black self-defence groups that are dedicated to defending our black community from racist police oppression”. The marches are intended to show communities of colour that they can protect and police themselves.Īs of yet, there have been no incidents during the marches, but according to the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Police Department (DPD) has surveilled the group from unmarked cars as they are patrolling. These “manoeuvres”, as the members call them, began in Dallas but have since spread to other cities across the US. HPNGC organises armed marches and patrols throughout black neighbourhoods

Huey p. newton gun club splc