Lawyer Rips D.A. Over Duke Lacrosse CaseDefense Attorney Says District Attorney Is Using Duke Lacrosse Case for Political Advantage
A member of the New Black Panther Party stands outside 610 North Buchanan Boulevard Monday, May 1, 2006, in Durham, N.C. Malik Z. Shabazz, National Chairman of the New Black Panther Party and a small group from the New Black Panther Party gathered for a news conference to discuss the rape allegations against members of the Duke lacrosse team. The group gathered at the house where the woman says the rape occurred. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
DURHAM, N.C. May 1, 2006 (AP)— An attorney representing one of two Duke University lacrosse players accused of rape demanded the district attorney's removal from the case Monday and accused him of using it to help his election prospects.
District Attorney Mike Nifong faces a primary election Tuesday that could decide whether he remains in office.
"They don't want to go up against me," Nifong said when asked outside court Monday about the defense request for his removal. He has denied any political motivation behind his aggressive investigation.
More
New Black Panthers rally at Duke gates 5/1/2006 5:14 PM By: Tim Boyum & Web Staff
(DUKE UNIVERSITY) - Duke police prevented a black nationalist group from protesting on the university's campus Monday morning. The New Black Panthers are in town to protest the Duke lacrosse players charged with raping a black N.C. Central student. They are demanding a trial and a conviction.
“What do we want? Justice! And when do we want it? Now!”
That was just one of the chants the New Black Panthers shouted Monday. They arrived by police escort outside the Duke gates, but they also had their own security, some wearing combat boots and others with knives on their hips.
Members made their way to the gates and spoke to about 50 reporters from around the country.
“We're here today because a human life has been violated in the city of Durham, and we’re here seeking justice,” said Dr. Bruce Bridges, a member of the New Black Panthers party.
“Black power, black power!” chants echoed throughout the crowd as members explained their cause.
Durham school board member Jackie Wagstaff took part in the protest. “We will defend our black women. (The) New Black Panther party and black men is not going to stand by, idly by, and let our black women be raped,” said Nigi Muhammed. “You say we are playing the race card. No we're not playing the race card. You with all the cameras, your forefathers been playing race cards for the past 450 years.”
Some local officials also took part.
“I am here with these brothers because it appears Durham does not want to see the truth,” said Durham school board member Jackie Wagstaff.
The New Black Panthers are convinced members of the Duke lacrosse team raped the N.C. Central student and want a conviction.
“We don't care whether our sister was stripping or not. We say that that was only a temporary condition of circumstance. But to us she is a righteous and divine woman by nature,” said party member Malik Zulu Shabazz.
Campus police turned the protestors away before they could go on campus. Shabazz added that he believes Duke has played a role in allowing this scandal to happen:
“For the record, the history of Duke University is riddled in slavery, racist oppression and racism against black people.”
Moments later the protesters tried to walk onto Duke's campus, but campus police stopped them.
“Are you telling me that the president of Duke University is denying the African-American community from coming on this campus?” one protestor asked.
Campus police said the president would not allow the protest to take place on campus because this week is exam week.
When the marchers were turned away from Duke’s gates, they decided to take things into their hands and walk down the streets of Durham straight to the lacrosse house.
The New Black Panthers want the city to turn the lacrosse house into a rape crisis center, and they want to make sure the trial remains in Durham.
The New Black Panthers offered the woman accusing the lacrosse players personal security, but the family has denied that request and says they did not ask the Panthers to come to Durham.
Members of the New Black Panther Party march along University Road near Duke University Monday, May 1, 2006 in Durham, N.C. Malik Z. Shabazz, National Chairman of the New Black Panther Party and a small group gathered for a news conference to discuss the rape allegations against members of the Duke lacrosse team. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Malik Z. Shabazz, National Chairman of the New Black Panther Party, third from left, holds hands with a group outside 610 North Buchanan Boulevard Monday, May 1, 2006 in Durham, N.C. Malik and a small group from the New Black Panther Party gathered for a news conference to discuss the rape allegations against members of the Duke lacrosse team. This is the house where the woman says the rape occurred. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Malik Z. Shabazz, National Chairman of the New Black Panther Party, speaks outside the main entrance to Duke University Monday, May 1, 2006 in Durham, N.C. Malik and a small group from the New Black Panther Party gathered for a news conference to discuss the incident involving members of the Duke lacrosse team. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Malik Z. Shabazz, center facing out, National Chairman of the New Black Panther Party, is turned away by Duke University police as he and others try to enter campus at Duke University Monday, May 1, 2006 in Durham, N.C. Malik and a small group from the New Black Panther Party gathered for a news conference to discuss the incident involving members of the Duke lacrosse team. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Malik Z. Shabazz, National Chairman of the New Black Panther Party, upper right, speaks outside 610 North Buchanan Boulevard Monday, May 1, 2006 in Durham, N.C. Malik and a small group from the New Black Panther Party gathered for a news conference to discuss the rape allegations against members of the Duke lacrosse team. The group gathered at the house where the woman says the rape occurred. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
