Black Panther Voter Intimidation in Philly?

Some local voters are calling a foul

Some of the big talk around the country is about voter intimidation at polling places.

In Philadelphia , there was a claim of members of the Black Panther Party intimidating voters by standing out front of a polling place at 1221 Fairmount Ave. holding batons and intimidating voters entering the polling location.

Media Lizzy, a local poll watcher blog, mentioned billy-club wielding "security" guards standing out front of this location.

Philadelphia police later showed up to tell these men that they aren't allowed to stop people from voting. In a video posted on the Youtube the two men are seen leaving the front of the building with the police officers.

There is no connection between these men and the Black Panther party, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office.

Philly DA spokesperson Cathie Abookire told CNN that this was a "non-incident."

The Philly DA also said as of 2:30 p.m. that overall voting problems in Philadelphia were down from 2004 when there were 49 incidents reported.

FOX News reported this incident to actually be Black Panthers intimidating voters by blocking the door.

"No voter has been denied the vote...this is the United States of America and unless [the men standing outside] break the law or do anything, they have the right to stand out there. We don't need anybody trying to trump up anything or generate any kind of excitement," said Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

Here is video of the guards out front of the polling place so that you can decide for yourself.

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