New Black Panthers probe heats up panel

August 3, 2010 11:17


In a statement, five Republican and independent commission members — describing themselves as “conservative-leaning colleagues” — took issue with comments by Commission Vice Chairman Abigail Thernstrom, also a Republican appointee, who called the New Black Panther Party probe “politically motivated.”

By Jerry SeperThe Washington Times

The federal government’s dismissal of voter intimidation charges against the New Black Panther Party has not only stirred debate at the national level and among various media outlets, but created a firestorm within the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, which has announced a separate investigation of the matter.

In a statement, five Republican and independent commission members — describing themselves as “conservative-leaning colleagues” — took issue with comments by Commission Vice Chairman Abigail Thernstrom, also a Republican appointee, who called the New Black Panther Party probe “politically motivated.”

“Our fellow member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Abigail Thernstrom, has asserted in various media outlets that the commission’s investigation into the Justice Department’s handling of the New Black Panther Party matter is a politically-motivated attempt to damage President Obama,” the five said in the statement.

“Not only is this accusation baseless, it deflects attention from the serious allegations of wrongdoing within the Department of Justice both in connection with the New Black Panther Party case and more broadly,” it said.

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