In the concrete jungles of America, the Black Panthers have re-emerged to melt ICE.
In late 2025, a Black activist group called the “Black Panthers” started going viral for quelling violence by and in response to the actions of ICE – many of these groups have popped up around the country and have banded together to stand against reckless violence by law enforcement on their streets. Specifically, the Philadelphia branch of the New Black Panthers have made the most noise following the murder of Alex Pretty and Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.

The New Black Panther Party, originally the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, was founded in October 1966 by college students to combat police brutality in African-American neighborhoods – the organization mainly advocated for armed self-defense against police brutality. It quickly became a major force in the Black Power movement, known for its community organization and protests against law enforcement’s injustices.
The party also employed tactics like publishing their Black Panther Party Newspaper, creating art and music while also using media to communicate and spread awareness, similar to modern social media activism.
Now, though the name change was an attempt to rebrand, the changes instilled in the new party can be problematic, or at the very least, contradicting.
Though fighting violence with violence is admirable, some values associated with the party include anti-semitism and racism, and refusal to condemn these stances have led to criticism against the New Black Panther Party by members of the old.
Another distinct difference between the two parties, despite sharing the same name, is that the Black Panthers of the 60s were a Black Power group solely, whereas the New Black Panthers stood in solidarity with Latinos being primarily affected by ICE – this had led to significant clashes between the old and new party.
Historically, Latinos have aligned and oriented themselves closer to White groups when the Black-White binary was too strict to allow for playing both sides – that’s why the Black Panther Party of the 60s was a solely Black movement. But alliances have existed.
The Chicano “Brown Berets” of the 1960s was just one of many Latino groups that allied with the Black Panthers against police brutality, and now, that curried good favor is being repaid.
In general, the New Black Panthers’ plan on how to defend people from the violence that ICE agents are using includes tactics like militant armed patrols in their neighborhoods and protest organizations, especially in Latino neighborhoods more at risk.
Some supporters rightly see this group as a necessary, militant force filling a vital void in community protection, bringing back the essential mantra “Power to the People” fighting modern injustices and police violence.
However, bringing more violence into the community can wreak havoc or escalate the already-present violence ushered in by ICE.
This violence v. violence can be exacerbated even further when the New Black Panthers are perpetuating stereotypes that people of color are violent or their presence invites brutality into communities that aren’t their own.
Nevertheless, the Black Panther Party has stood up against violence when nobody else has and whether it’s through community aid or standing as a militant shield, their movement isn’t just about promoting violence or “striking back,” it’s about standing up for what’s right. The youth of today are realizing that “Power to the People” isn’t a vintage slogan, it’s a modern survival kit.
They are back, the cameras recording, and people are aware, because “Power to the People” is no longer just a chant.