Ex-Black Panther Sues Bush, Pope, Elizabeth II over Slavery

NewsMax ^ | 1/8/04 | Carl Limbacher

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Bob Brown, a former Black Panther and co-director of Pan-African Roots, filed a 183-page class-action lawsuit yesterday, claiming that 71 defendants owe reparations for slavery.

The suit names: The King of Spain, the Queen of England, the Pontiff, President Bush, and Jaques Chirac; the governors of Illinois, Virginia, Louisiana and Texas; nine ports; several major sugar, gun, tobacco, and railroad companies; many, many banks and even Bacardi Rum.

The Chicago Tribune pointed out that Brown will have difficulty with such a suit, considering that "slavery was legal, as well as the difficulty Brown and those he represents face in proving that they were directly deprived due to slavery." Not to mention the fact that it would be nearly impossible to prove that the pope or the current president had anything to do with slavery.

[Editor's note: In fact, if one wanted to sue anyone, one might think of suing the Democratic party, which, had Gen. George McClellan defeated Lincoln in 1864, would have eliminated emancipation in a conciliatory move toward the secessionist South, but we digress]

Bob Bennett, former dean of Northwestern University's law school told the Tribune: "The lawsuit strikes me as a rhetorical statement which probably belongs in the realm of political rhetoric and demonstration and maybe even lobbying, but not in a court of law."

Brown brought the suit himself, without the help of a lawyer, and has been working on it for two years, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

He is calling on those named as defendants in the suit ""to acknowledge and apologize for the role that they and their predecessors played and continue to play."

[Editor's note: No one is sure what role anyone continues to play in the slave trade, since it has been outlawed by the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified almost 150 years ago, but we digress further]

Brown added that "Slavery was and is an illegal criminal enterprise," a point that is clearly not true; slavery is certainly immoral, wrong, horrific and heinous - but it was, unfortunately, legal in the South at the time.

Brown challenged Pope John Paul II directly: "The Pope must come and say the truth ... He must come and tell us why ... certain Catholic forces disobeyed Catholic laws, enslaved us and became unjustly enriched up on us. He must open the Vatican library and disclose the files."

[nothingnew]

OK, when do the plea-Mails for $$$ from ignorant supporters begin? He'll probably "raise some dough" and retire to Jamaica after the court throws this out without ever hearing it.

FMCDH

[tracer]

More appropriately, the suit to which you refer should include Arabs, Dutchmen, Englishmen, and African tribal chiefs and their descendants -- some of which, ironically, would include Brown and his folks.

The biggest problem likely would be identifying and locating his daddy for service of process...

[G.Mason]

Definite TONI basket material.

things of no importance

[Made In The USA]

We read of someone demanding reparations on a regular basis, but we never seem to hear of anyone trying to cease the slavery that continues in Africa to this day.

Doesn't exactly build credibility to the argument that such lawsuits are to seek justice. Just a shakedown instead.

[Jaxter]

"Not to mention the fact that it would be nearly impossible to prove that the pope or the current president had anything to do with slavery."

Nearly? His tongue had to be firmly in cheek on that one. I think these types would be better serving humanity by trying to do something about the slavery that's going on in the world today. But hey, there's no money in that is there?

[tracer]

"Dude needs to get a life."

"A death" might be a more useful thing for him to "get."

He'd likely be happier and the world clearly would be a better place. But that decision must remain with him, of course....

[MPJackal]

Just a thought, Although slavery is immoral, if I were black, I may be saddened that my ancestors had to live as slaves, but I would thank God everyday that they did so I could live in the Greatest nation the world has ever seen. I don't think any blacks living in America are not far better off than if they lived in Africa. IMHO

[AIC]

WOW!! TWO YEARS!! to write out a class action suit with 183 pages for 71 people and businesses. I wonder what took so long? LOL!!

[Thebaddog]

It is in the realm of possibilities that the governor of Illinois will seek to settle with the guy. And there are enough loony aldermen here in Chicago to join the lawsuit. This thing isn't over.

[ArrogantBustard]

This man is an idiot.

Every "black" civil rights organisation should immediately close up shop and its membership go find something useful to do. If this is all that's left to complain about, their work is complete. Finished. Over with.

[Jaxter]

"One difference between genius and idiocy is that genius has its limits."

LOL. Definitely quote of the day material.

[shortstop]

Thank God this case will never go to the Ninth Circus Court.

[dixierat22]

"legal in the South at the time. "

Slave ownership was legal in the ENTIRE US, except for the states which outlawed the practice before the US as a whole did in 1865.

The question is, can I,whose G-G-Grandfather died as a Union soldier in the War of Northern Aggression, sue Bob Brown and all the other millions of blacks who were freed as a result of that death, for compensation?

[Adrastus]

More legal flatulance. What a waste of time reading this stupidity.

[onyx]

The day this government gives in to reparations will be the day that a second Civil War starts.

I have to agree.

[TexasCajun]

Maybe Bob Brown should sue the Lottery for part of the MegaMillions,claiming he bought the ticket but misplaced it.

Bob says, "Why should I have to work for a living?"

[Steve_Seattle]

A condition of any reparations payment should be that anyone accepting such payment must agree to repatriate to the African country of their choice, or of their origin, if known. Refusal to do so would be tantamount to admitting that they have actually benefitted from slavery by being relocated to a free, prosperous country, and are therefore not entitled to reparations because they have personally suffered no harm.

[BJClinton]

I was laughing histerically until your post...are you serious? This thing may have legs?

I believe during the Civil War the Bush family were making weapons for the Union, not the pro-slavery South. Seems Mr. Brown is purely political as he failed to sue the Democrat party, which is far more culpable than the Catholic church.

[Cronos]

Yes, he should sue the Sudanese Arabs who still keep slaves and ditto the Yemenis and Saudis