Get Out the Vet has just concluded its Election Day counter intimidation operations. In summary, despite rumors and concerns, it was a calm Election day, with no evidence of intimidation in the several cities we observed on the ground or in cities reported on bya couple of hundred tweeters around the country.
Thank you for all the help from SOCOM and intelligence veterans and thanks for the help from all you that tweeted information to us all day!
In a number of cities, we followed the activity of the New Black Panther Party (NBPP), which had been alleged to have engaged in voter intimidation during the 2008 election.
In all but two cities where we had ground teams, there was no evidence of any NBPP activity. In two cities, Philadelphia and Cleveland, there there was NBPP activity. However, despite following up numerous rumors and reports, we were not able to find any evidence of NBPP intimidation. Here is the summary for the two cities:
Philadelphia:
Our lead was former US Intelligence Officer Kerry Patton. He followed up on widely reported NBPP activity at the Philadelphia Ward 14, District 4 polling place at 1221 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123.
We had received rumors of NBPP activity all over Philadelphia but could not find any activity except at the address above.
At about 1730 EST, Patton drove by the poll and checked in with Ben Brink via phone. He observed one uniformed NBPP member and two gentlemen possibly in their mid-60s dressed in civilian attire. Activity was consistent with the videos taken by the news media all day. Patton then drove off.
At about 1800, Patton returned. After checking with Brink again, Patton went up to the uniformed NBPP member and the two gentlemen in civilian dress. He greeted them and told them who he was and that he was observing any intimidation at the polls. He asked them if they would mind making their intent clear and if he could film the discussion for the record. The NBPP members stated they would prefer not to be photographed but that they would be glad to state their intent.
The spokesman, one of the civilian dressed gentleman, stated that they were there not to intimidate but to ensure that voters were able to vote and that everything went smoothly. The NBPP members were very polite and, as Patton said even “pretty cool”.
Patton then thanked them and left. He noticed that they were handing out pamphlets as he drove away.
That’s it. Philadelphia is quiet.
Final Report from Cleveland:
Former Ranger KS responded to reports we had received that there had been NBPP at the Election Commission office at 2925 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115 the day before Election Day. Upon arriving at about 1130, he noticed a group in the Pasha Café across the street. He went into café and observed them from another table.
During the afternoon the NBPP left the café, returning later in the afternoon, where they then remained.
The group in the café, now numbering 11, started to break up at 1744, with about half leaving. KS left about 1710 and continued to observe from outside for the next few minutes. At about 1715, the café closed the curtains–only about 5 were still there, perhaps for supper.
Nothing more in Cleveland.
