Black Women's Defense League

The Black Women's Defense League (BWDL) is a self-defense organization based in Dallas, Texas, United States.[1]

Black Women's Defense League
Formation2015 (2015)
Location
MethodsSelf-defense and firearms training, political education, charity, youth outreach, hurricane relief, town hall meetings, panel discussions, protests
Founder
Niecee X

Overview

The BWDL was founded in 2015[2] by Niecee X.[1][3] They were influenced by the Black Panther Party[3] and contemporary organizations including the Huey P. Newton Gun Club, but later split from the latter group.[1]

The BWDL describes itself as a Womanist organization.[4] According to the group's Facebook page, it "works for the immediate pursuit of an intersectional, safe, and free society" and "organizes to provide immediate protection and services to Black Women and those most marginalized by White Supremacy."[5] Niecee X and the group's leadership support transformative justice approaches to conflict and crime.[3]

The group provides self-defense and arms training to "abused, underserved black women and marginalized genders",[6] and also engages in political education, charity work and youth outreach work,[5] and hosts town hall meetings, panel discussions and other events.[3] In 2019 Niecee X founded Revolution Cafe & Bookstore, a vegan restaurant and bookstore in Dallas, which works in concert with the BWDL.[3]

Activities

In January 2017 BWDL members attended the Women's March in Washington, D.C.[1]

In September 2017 the group was involved in relief efforts in Houston, Port Arthur and Beaumont, Texas, following Hurricane Harvey.[5][7][8] Its activities focused on groups otherwise overlooked by relief organizations and those excluded by shelters.[7]

In December 2017 the BWDL organised a protest against a concert by R. Kelly in Dallas due to accusations of sexual misconduct.[9][10]

In May 2018 the BWDL was featured in a documentary produced by Pabst Blue Ribbon, which sought to celebrate "the voices of today's ever-evolving American dream".[11]

See also

References
  1. Cooper, Wilbert L. (February 9, 2017). "This Group of Black Women Is Taking Up Arms to Fight Racism and Misogyny". Vice. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
  2. Pratt, Timothy (April 27, 2017). "More black women are learning to use guns: 'this is a movement, and it starts now'". The Guardian. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
  3. Hicks, Tyler (June 3, 2019). "Organizer and Artist Niecee X Plans to Open Dallas' First Cafe and Bookstore for QTPOC". Dallas Observer. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  4. F., Ebony (February 2017). "How The Black Women's Defense League Is Confronting Racism and Misogny Head-On". Blavity. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
  5. Sanoff, Rachel (July 17, 2018). "These women are fighting to make the American Dream a reality for everyone". HelloGiggles. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  6. King, Elizabeth (July 28, 2017). "The long, fascinating history of leftist self-defense". Pacific Standard. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
  7. Gosztola, Kevin (September 10, 2017). "After hurricane, Black Women's Defense League focuses on relief for communities of color in Houston". ShadowProof. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  8. Ware, Jared (September 14, 2017). "Leftists to the Rescue: Where the State and Big NGOs Fail, Mutual Aid Networks Step In". In These Times. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  9. "Women's group wants R-Kelly concert in Dallas canceled". Fox 4. November 27, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  10. "R. Kelly greeted by protesters at Dallas concert". CW39 Houston. December 5, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  11. Bratskeir, Kate (May 23, 2018). "Pabst Blue Ribbon is the latest brand to wade into the world of vague political messaging". Mic. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
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