#BlackPanthers trends as White Twitter users mix NFAC up with socialist group after armed march clip goes viral
Shortly after hundreds of Black armed militia members gathered at Stone Mountain State Park in Georgia many social media users took to Twitter to share the videos of them marching to the park. Hours later, "Black Panther" began trending on Twitter as many mistook the group, which calls itself the 'Not Fu**ng Around Coalition' (NFAC), for members of the Black Panther Party (BPP), a revolutionary socialist political organization founded in 1966 in the United States.
Watch the video here.
The NFAC members gathered at Stone Mountain State Park on Saturday, July 4, demanding the removal of carvings of Confederate figures on the side of the mountain, the birthplace of Klu Klux Klan (KKK). Although the NFAC appears secretive about its origins, it reportedly comprises of armed Black "ex-military shooters" who have been making their appearances amid the widespread Black Lives Matter protests across the country. The organization, however, has distanced itself from the BLM movement.
As many social media users denounced the armed group, calling it the "Black Panthers" and some even calling the organization a "Black Supremacy" group, many others came to their defense, stating that every militant Black man is not a member of the BPP.
One Twitter user wrote: "The Black Panthers haven't existed since the 80s, and White people who label every militant Black man as a Black panther are being racist as hell. It basically negates the rest of your message about inclusion and diversity. Seriously, it's ignorant." While another said: "NFAC: Not Fucking Around Crew, gathered at Stone Mountain State Park. A known place of Ku Klux Klan rallies. Of course racist on Twitter have a problem with it. They're not the Black Panthers! It's always a problem when Black people use their 2nd amendment rights." A third wrote: "'Black Panthers' is trending because everybody thinks 'Black people with guns = Black Panthers'. The group is the NFAC. No relation."
Many others called on 'White people' to stop calling the NSAC members 'Black Panthers': "They’re not the Black Panthers. They’re just armed Black men protesting social injustice unlike the armed White guys who were screaming about bars being closed." Another wrote: "White people stop calling every Black group with guns the Black Panthers challenge."
An enraged Twitter user talked about Black people using their 2nd Amendment rights: "You pieces of sh** keep calling any armed gathering of BLACK MEN Black Panthers knowing that's not what they are. The fear of a BLACK MAN keeps you up at night. A BLACK MAN using the 2nd Amendment gives you nightmares."
There were some users who posted and commented on a video of the NFAC members stopping motorists: "The NFAC, who are not the Black Panthers, were armed as is their right. I see no issue with it. I do see an issue with them stopping motorists and interrogating them."
"Dear EVERY SINGLE DUMBASS calling #NFAC the “Black Panthers” or anything that is a misrepresentation of peace and protection for the Black community. Go suck your mother and open your ears when you done! @realDonaldTrump friends and family #KKK made a threat and here’s a response," another user added.