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Malik Zulu Shabazz (born Paris Lewis in 1968) is an American attorney and National Chairman of the New Black Panther Party. He is a frequent guest on television talk shows.

Early life and legal career

Shabazz was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. His father, James Lewis, was a Muslim who was killed under mysterious circumstances when Shabazz was a child. He credits his mother, who became a successful businesswoman, and his grandfather, who introduced him to the Nation of Islam, as strong influences.

Shabazz graduated from Howard University and the Howard University School of Law. In 1995, while he was a law student, Shabazz ran an unsuccessful campaign for a seat on the Washington, D.C., City Council. In 1996, Shabazz founded Black Lawyers for Justice.

In 1998, he was recognized by the National Bar Association with its "Young Lawyer of the Year" award. Later that year, he again ran without success for a seat on the D.C. Council.

Controversy

Shabazz first came to widespread public attention in 1994, when Unity Nation, a student group he founded at Howard University, invited Khalid Abdul Muhammad, chairman of the New Black Panther Party, to speak. Introducing the speaker, Shabazz engaged in a call and response with the audience:

"Who is it that caught and killed Nat Turner?"

"The Jews!"

"Who is it that controls the Federal Reserve?"

"The Jews!"

"Who is it that has our entertainers... and our athletes in a vise grip?"

"The Jews!"

A year later, Shabazz told an interviewer that everything he said was true, with the possible exception of the assertion concerning Nat Turner.

The Anti-Defamation League describes Shabazz as "anti-Semitic and racist".

During a 2002 protest at B'nai B'rith International in Washington, D.C., Shabazz said: "Kill every goddamn Zionist in Israel! Goddamn little babies, goddamn old ladies! Blow up Zionist supermarkets!"

New Black Panther Party

Shabazz followed Muhammad's lead and joined the New Black Panther Party about 1997. When Muhammad—who greatly expanded the organization and rose to its chairmanship—died in 2001, Shabazz took over as National Chairman. The group is described by the Anti-Defamation League as "the largest organized anti-Semitic and racist black militant group in America".

The principles promoted by Shabazz include:

• Black nationalism
• Black Power
• Support for reparations for slavery
• Conspiracy theories about Jewish involvement in the September 11 attacks
• The view that Jews dominated the Atlantic slave trade
• Anti-Zionism.

Revolutionary Roots Tour

“A long overdue family reunion”, is the way Attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz, National Chairman and organizer of the New Black Panther Party( NBPP) describes the historic meetings of his organization, based in the United States, with 30 national chapters and several international bases, and the revolutionary Pan- Afrikanist Congress of Azania( PAC), whose President is Letlapa Mphahlele, with a steady seat in Parliament of Azania, known by the criminal settler name of South Africa in the Western hemisphere and many parts of the world. The PAC has a lengthy history of struggle at various stages of its existence, going all the way back to the great leadership of the Honorable Robert M. Sobukwe. The connection marks the first time that two revolutionary groups joined forces, to begin what is now known as the “Revolutionary Roots Tour.” The main objective of the tour is to connect the African of the Continent with the lost and disjointed African or Black Family of the Diaspora. The circumstances surrounding this historic movement, is a tragic event in time, called the Sharpeville Massacre. The Massacre at Sharpeville occurred in the black township of Sharpeville in South Africa. This is the place where police fired, on the crowd of black Africans killing over 69 of them and wounding some 250 of them. The Demonstration at Sharpeville was one of the first and most violent demonstrations against apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid by definition is a “system of racial discrimination and segregation.” Formalized in 1948, this system produced, the base, for political and economic rule by the white settler population, and severely restricted the political rights of the black African, who are the majority population in Azania (South Africa). The African National Congress (ANC) due to ideological shifts has become the primary opposition to the PAC but not sole opposition to the party. The ANC’s role in “selling out the people” and “failing to deliver to the masses of Black people” has left a sour taste in many of the loyal revolutionary PAC cadre.

During the 1960’s through 1990, the African National Congress (ANC) and other mainly black opposition political organizations were banned. The National Party, headed by F.W. DeKlerk, the seventh and last State President of the former Apartheid-era- South Africa cracked down on all black opposition to Apartheid. Leaders of ANC and PAC and other opposing forces were imprisoned, exiled, or killed.

The Pan-Afrikanist Congress (PAC) came to birth in 1959, and from its inception, focused on the treatment of Black people in Africa. A countrywide demonstration was organized by PAC on March 21, 1960, for the abolition of pass laws in Azania. The demonstrations participants were instructed to surrender their passes and invite arrest as the form of legal protest. An estimated 20,000 black protesters gathered by a nearby police station in Sharpeville. In response to the protest approximately 69 blacks were killed and 250 wounded, (some studies suggest more), approximately 50 women and children were among those either hurt or killed. A state of emergency was declared in South Africa and more than 11,000 people were detained. PAC was clearly, a serious threat to the Apartheid regime, and colonial forces of South Africa. The PAC was outlawed and was persecuted at every turn. The PAC’s role and organizational efforts helped focus international attention to the South African apartheid policy. Subsequently, President Nelson Mandela chose Sharpeville as the site at which, on December 10, 1996, he signed into law the country’s new constitution. The PAC rejects any notion that there are strident gains since the release of President Mandela, from prison in the highest seat of the land- The Office of Presidency. The PAC says its mission is to,” liberate the minds and hearts of African people from white domination, and the remnants of all Apartheid forces. Commander Chris Sankara, a PAC loyalist and Azanian Peoples Liberation commander, said (Azania) to this very moment, remains impoverished, uneducated, and unequal in many areas, while at the same time the rich are continuing to get richer… he adds, “these new age oppressive taskmasters continue to brutalize and murder our people, meaning the complexion of the oppressor has only switched from all white faces, to highly placed black faces {with white minds.}”

Commander Sankara played a pivotal role in uniting the two Pan- Afrikanist organizations, the NBPP and PAC. He says he stayed in communication with Attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz for “well over a year”, communicating going back and forth to get the every detail right. Commander Sankara’s, credentials include fighting against invading forces in the early 90’s, via armed struggle and pushing back the criminal settler racist. The Whiteman’s Colonial forces, caved due to extreme losses and unbeknownst to Commander Sankara and the APLA soldiers, who were in exile in Tanzania, the leadership of the PAC and the colonial forces of the Whiteman came to the table implying to PAC members, that both sides called for a ceasefire, which was found to be a total lie and aberration of the truth. The APLA forces in the field and still in combat, were unaware of the apparent “Peace Treaty” until much later, after they arrived back home from being exiled. The Leadership of the PAC announced, that it would “suspended its armed struggle”, and that it would take part in (Azania’s) South Africa's first universal suffrage election on April 27, 1994. The South African General Election of 1994 was an election held to “ begin the end of Apartheid”, and was the first to include, what was known as Universal Adult Suffrage, PAC supporters say, “ the election was a trick to wrest away power from the masses of African people” . Conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the Peace treaty also called for ” the use” of the Azanian People’s Liberation Army, ( APLA). In the 1960s, APLA lead commander Potlako Leballo modeled the APLA on the basis of other indigenous liberation armies, Templeton Ntantala was his deputy. The APLA, then known as Poqo, in 1976, APLA received 500 recruits and carried out missions to defend the people of Azania. The APLA forces adapted the battle cry of "one settler, one bullet” and in the early 90’s became well known for its willingness to fight the colonial forces at all cost. The mainstream progress of negotiations at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa, revealed itself to be a military tactic that by 1994, gained PAC a seat in Parliament but forced APLA to be absorbed into the new South African National Defense Force (SANDF).

Those loyal to the principles of Robert M. Sobukwe refused to accept the agreement and do not view it as valid, whether in the SANDF or not. APLA forces, joined an estimated 10,000-member, multi-party national peacekeeping force within the government, in essence co-opting the struggle of liberation to a position of weakness rather than the position due to the ultimate choice of former PAC Party President Clarence Makwetu. President Makwetu expressed he made this change because his organizations, “commitment to peace and free and fair elections." A re-newed vision” and “directional change” was the lifeblood needed to Commander Sankara, as he has personally seen and felt the effects of the Post- Apartheid era first hand. This became the backbone to the entire tour and the motivation of the trip, which spanned a total of 8 townships and provinces of Johannesburg, South Africa all the way to Zimbabwe to meet with leading officials, from the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu- PF party) led by the Pan- Afrikanist firebrand, President Robert Mugabe. The 9 person delegation from the United States(U.S.) consisted of high ranking New Black Panther Party Officials, All- African People’s Revolutionary Party (GC) represented by Bob Brown, organizer with the Student Non violent Coordinating Committee(SNCC) and Kwame Ture’ (formerly Stokely Carmichael), Pastor Ted Sutton, a Baltimore, Maryland based youth pastor, founder of, “ The Ministers of Defense” a mentorship program that teaches about self respect, decency, and curbing Black violence among so-called gangs and finally a beautiful, bold, Black woman, from the Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s, Nation of Islam under the direction of Minister Louis Farrakhan in Phoenix, Arizona, named Sister Khameelah Shabazz who has studied with the Muslims Girls Training Classes(MGT) since 1975. The schedule was jam packed, and O.R. TAMBO or Oliver Tambo Airport, named after a former President of the ANC was the first port of entry into this monumental occasion. From the moment the New Black Panthers and delegation stepped off the plane (piloted and stewarded by Black Africans) into the airport they were greeted and received, with the cheers and applause and embraces of love from our brothers and sisters of the PAC. Family who has waited 400 long years to greet each other now had the chance. The mood was electric as banners of PAC streamed the airport and voices yelling “Welcome Home.” Nothing but love, and the 9 member delegation took time to breathe all this in, but there was no time to waste. The first stop was PAC headquarters to meet with key leadership and time was ticking. The Delegation rushed off into a caravan of cars and trained members of the APLA forces took the lead in ensuring the safety of the NBPP delegation, and its membership, meanwhile, the NBPP was equally watchful of its leadership and delegation as the threats against this united front were flying from all around. Members of opposing White parties threatened to do harm, it was clear the criminal settler racist, were vehemently, concerned with the apparent overthrow of the old slave Apartheid ways. As the NBPP delegation and PAC commanders pulled into headquarters, the African’s were everywhere, stunned at the arrival of their long lost brothers and sister, who are now dressed in Black Battle fatigues, berets, and patches that read, “Freedom or Death.” Panthers said “hey brother, we missed you” as they got out and walked into the marble tower offices of the PAC headquarters. The office was packed from wall to wall with membership of the PAC, both high ranking and rank and file, all excited to see their African Revolutionary family, whose ancestors left as slaves but have now returned, as warriors for African people. Attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz received standing ovation as he championed the cause of Pan- Africanism and talked about the importance of the serious days ahead. He reminded the audience sternly, “The same rabid dogs that bite you, bite us too, we are one!” It was this attitude that set the tone or the entire tour. The commemoration of Sharpeville (March 21st) is considered a National Holiday in Azania, and it is one that has continued for several years, however the commemoration has not happened without a fight. Segments of the ANC have taken the militant and tragic tone away from the event and now instead of the focus being the massacre at Sharpeville, it has now been reduced to something President Mandela calls “Human Rights Day”, says PAC organizer Lehlohonolo Shale – Branch Chairman of Pimville/ Klipspruit.” Comrade Shale calls this a “tragic departure from the original concept of the commemoration.” PAC leadership under the voice of Commander Chris Sankara laugh at this attempt to re-write this tragedy of Azania, and continue to hold their own commemoration independent or the ANC and even some of their own PAC reformist leadership.

Chris Sankara and others like him are hard-line fundamental Pan- Afrikanist revolutionaries; they refuse to allow the mainstream politics of this new ANC leadership or watered down figures within the highest ranks of the PAC to dilute what was started by their venerable founder Robert Sobukwe. They hold their own commemoration every year, and make sure that there is massive support from the staunch PAC members and the downtrodden Blackman and woman of Azania, who want freedom coupled with their land. Thousands pour into the streets shouting “Izwe- Lethu” meaning “the land is ours.” Attorney Shabazz and delegation, walked to the very spots where members of the Sharpeville Massacre were slain. Attorney Shabazz was shocked, as the ages of the murdered became younger and younger. He hugged, embraced, shook hands, and kissed the hands of the mothers, who lost sons, uncles, fathers, brothers, husbands, companions and the like. The delegation could not believe its eyes, as they read the names of those who lost their lives, just for standing up to a brutal color struck regime and those who knew that the pass laws were/ are unjust. At the same time the ANC hosted its own Human rights day, and as they took the stage PAC and the NBPP took to a high stage, with a waterfall behind them to address a massive crowd, which had formed. Attorney Shabazz who stands around 6’ 7’ inches tall was at an advantage, as he was able to be seen from far away, with no microphone, no megaphone or anything, he yelled “Izwe- Lethu” and the massive crowd of thousands, yelled in return “I- Africa” meaning “Africa is our Land.” With their attention the National Chairman of the New Black Panther Party, and founder of the U.S. based Black Lawyers for Justice (legal organization) went to work and began to talk about the foundational aims of PAC, the position of the NBPP, and a United States of Africa. As he spoke more people came in from the streets, singing revolutionary Azanian songs, and instead of stopping them, Attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz encouraged them to sing louder and in his words, “come on with that!” The Atty. Shabazz said, “You give me life with that.”, “Even though I don’t know all the words, because the Whiteman stole our language, your soul and your spirit gives me life.” Atty. Shabazz told the audience this was, “his first time in Africa, but not his last.” The crowd erupted with applause and cheers of “Black Power.” As the Delegation made its way through the thousands of spirited Africans, they made their way to the streets, only to be greeted by even more members of PAC and the community in mass. The Delegation and the commemorators ran in the streets with fist pumping and hearts beating as they made their way to the awaiting PAC Rally “under the tent.” The purpose was to bring all the PAC loyalist and top brass together and that’s exactly what it did. The tent rally featured top members of the PAC and veteran freedom fighters of the Azanian struggle. With PAC banner in hand; everyone marched to the Sharpeville cemetery, where the fallen warriors were laid to rest. Delegates we’re told to pick up pebbles and place them on the gravesites of those who lost their lives at the hands of the Apartheid regimes. Attorney Malik Shabazz and delegation walked past each of the graves, over 69 in all, and laid pebbles on the headstones. The youngest to be killed was just 13 years old. From there Attorney Shabazz and delegation walked the streets of Sharpeville singing revolutionary songs, and came upon an impromptu African dance/ drum session, by the PAC youth group called the Classic Youth dance Corps. They performed their hearts out dancing in traditional African attire. They were happy to see the NBPP and delegation, and agreed that wherever Attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz and his delegation go in Africa, they want to go also. All who participated where overtaken, by the magnitude of all that gathering. The next day the delegation made its way to Kliptown, a small Ghetto of Azania where some of the roughest parts and examples of the post Apartheid era politics remain. Poverty and need of Blacks run high in this area, as Attorney Shabazz and delegation walked this neighborhood they saw tin houses, impure water, health conditions and looks of despair.

Residents told the delegation that “Politicians only come to see about us for election times.” In essence they squeeze the votes out of the people with false promises of improvement only to deceive after the election process is over. The NBPP and delegation stopped by homes in Kliptown along with roadside businesses to give away Rand (South African Currency) worth thousands of dollars in U.S. money, not for fame or fortune- NO, this was done just to pick the people’s spirits up and give them the inspiration they need to keep pressing on. From there the delegation walked into a small section of the town that housed a center called the Soweto Kliptown Youth orphanage or (SKY). This recreational center serves as a home for black African orphans, some who have no mother or father, or may have lost both. Immediately the entire delegation gravitated to the children who although poor and parentless, had “some of the greatest spirits he had ever seen” Atty. Shabazz recalls. The orphanage was directed by a young spiritual Blackman named Bob affectionately called “Bo Bo” by the youth. What was next no one could prepare Atty. Malik Shabazz or the delegation for. Brother Bob had the children perform; a musical they created called “The More You Give, The More You Have.” It was worthy of a slot on Broadway, based upon their lives and being able to persevere by being good to others. These children although impoverished danced and sang their hearts out, so much so, Atty.Shabazz and his delegation we’re up on their feet dancing and singing as well, as the request of some of the performers who wanted them to dance right along with them. Attorney Shabazz and delegation we’re so moved, they donated the Rand value of 3,000 dollars in U.S. value to the orphanage and have promised with the permission of the director to adopt the orphanage and financially support it by any means necessary.

As the delegation travel throughout Azania, Attorney Shabazz reminded the delegation, “we are the People’s servants”, and our people all over the world need service.” Every member of the Delegation pledged, to do more about the conditions of our people in Africa, and to do much more for Black people the United States. Another Glaring highlight of the trip was Zimbabwe, as the National Chairman chartered a plane and made his way to the Pan- Afrikanist nation, which is now currently fighting off U.S. sanctions and economic stranglehold, Atty. Shabazz met with key cabinet members including: secretary of publicity and information comrade Gumbo, Director of External Relations comrade Jonga, Secretary of woman’s Affairs Comrade Oppah comrade Mariaere, director of transportation, Secretary General Dr. Mutassa and Zanu- PF of Azania official Linda Gondo. Atty. Shabazz and delegation were hosted by comrade Chen Chetumengwende, an advisor to President Mugabe and Pan- African organizer. They all were instructed to come representing President Mugabe also, to hear what Atty. Malik Shabazz and the delegation had to say. It was a meeting of the minds as Atty. Shabazz laid out a solid case of solidarity, unity, and comraderie. Atty. Shabazz called for an end to U.S. Sanctions against Zimbabwe, and spoke of the work that the New Black Panther Party and his legal group, Black Lawyers For justice we’re willing to do in the United States. He also pledged to help expose the west to the real aims and objectives of the Presidency of Mr. Mugabe, and make Americans aware of President Mugabe, ZANU-PF the great good that they are doing and have done for Zimbabwe and oppressed Black people. ZANU- PF was so overjoyed, that their comrade and brother from the New Black Panther Party, would pledge such solidarity under tough times and economic hardship that they demanded he have a meeting with the President himself. Atty. Shabazz was elated, and was asked to stay another day- which he did. The next day the two Parties reconvened, and Atty. Shabazz was scheduled to meet with President Robert Mugabe, even receiving word that Mr. Mugabe was asking about him and his Party, however, due to upcoming elections and serious party matters at hand, his meeting with key leaders ran over and President Mugabe unfortunately had to postpone the meeting and attend the Bricks (Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa) conference. Atty. Shabazz made it clear, “we strongly endorse President Robert Mugabe in the upcoming elections”, “to support this effort we will hold a major webcast within the next 60 days via our website (newblackpanther.com) and other allied sites.” The Chairman also unveiled actual facts on opportunities, for Black people in the West to mine producing diamonds and gold, to work independently for self, as he learned during the course of his visit to Zimbabwe. Atty. Shabazz views the entire trip as a success and says, “this provides a strong beachhead for Pan African relations in Zimbabwe and worldwide.” He added, “We have also established the NBPP in Azania and Zimbabwe.” Atty. Shabazz and the delegation are eternally thankful to have the opportunity to visit their mother country, and although some never get the chance, or find the means to make such an audacious move, Atty. Shabazz says, “this was the first time for some of us in Azania (South Africa), but it won’t be our last.”

References

1. ^ "Malik Zulu Shabazz". Anti-Defamation League. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
2. ^ Williams, Kam (January 15, 2009). "The New Black Panther Party". Memphis Tri-State Defender. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
3. ^ Fenner, Austin (September 5, 1998). "Afrocentric Lawyer Force Behind the Youth March". Daily News. Archived from the original on October 10, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
4. ^ Plotz, David (April 21, 1995). "The Revolutionary's War". Washington City Paper. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
5. ^ Hentoff, Nat (September 29, 1998). "Keep Your Eye on Malik Shabazz". The Village Voice. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
6. ^ Beirich, Heidi; Potok, Mark (Fall 2003). "40 to Watch". Intelligence Report. Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
7. Masters, Brooke A. (February 25, 1994). "Ex-Farrakhan Aide Gets Mixed Reaction on Howard Campus". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
8. Beirich, Heidi; Potok, Mark (Summer 2012). "Malik Zulu Shabaz - Intelligence File". Intelligence Report. Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
9. "New Black Panther Party for Self Defense". Anti-Defamation League. April 19, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
10. Muhammad, Ashahed (March 10, 2005). "One-on-One: An Interview with Malik Zulu Shabazz". The Final Call. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
11. ^ Muhammad, Ashahed M. (c. 2005). "TEI Exclusive Interview with Attorney Malik Zulu Shabazz". The Truth Establishment Institute. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
12. "Revolutionary Roots Tour". New Black Panthers Make Ground With Pan Africanist Movements of Azania (South Africa. NBPP. Retrieved 2013-4-4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
13. "Revolutionary Roots Tour". New Black Panthers Make Ground With Pan Africanist Movements of Azania (South Africa. NBPP. Retrieved 2013-4-4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
14. "Revolutionary Roots Tour". New Black Panthers Make Ground With Pan Africanist Movements of Azania (South Africa. NBPP. Retrieved 2013-4-4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
15. "Revolutionary Roots Tour". New Black Panthers Make Ground With Pan Africanist Movements of Azania (South Africa. NBPP. Retrieved 2013-4-4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
16. "Revolutionary Roots Tour". New Black Panthers Make Ground With Pan Africanist Movements of Azania (South Africa. NBPP. Retrieved 2013-4-4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
17. "Revolutionary Roots Tour". New Black Panthers Make Ground With Pan Africanist Movements of Azania (South Africa. NBPP. Retrieved 2013-4-4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
18. "Revolutionary Roots Tour". New Black Panthers Make Ground With Pan Africanist Movements of Azania (South Africa. NBPP. Retrieved 2013-4-4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
19. "Revolutionary Roots Tour". New Black Panthers Make Ground With Pan Africanist Movements of Azania (South Africa. NBPP. Retrieved 2013-4-4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

Further reading

• Trescott, Jacqueline (April 6, 1994). "The Student Warrior". The Washington Post.

External links

• "Malik Zulu Shabazz: In His Own Words". Anti-Defamation League.
• "Malik Zulu Shabazz". Truth Conscious Speakers Bureau.
• "Malik Zulu Shabazz". The Truth Establishment Institute Speakers' Bureau.

Template:Persondata

• 1968 births
• Living people
• African-American lawyers
• African Americans' rights activists
• African and Black nationalism
• Antisemitism in the United States
• Anti-Zionism
• Howard University alumni
• Howard University School of Law alumni
• 9/11 conspiracy theorists
• People from Los Angeles, California
• Reparations for slavery