NORTH PHILADELPHIA –
Paul Birdsong, chairman of The Black Lion Party for International Solidarity, was served a notice on Feb 13, 2026, that his license to carry a firearm had been revoked by the Philadelphia Police Department.
The notice cites “good cause” related to “character and reputation,” stemming from an incident that occurred on Jan. 31 near 23rd and Diamond streets in the city’s 22nd Police District.
A Philadelphia Neighborhoods reporter was on the scene and witnessed the incident.
Birdsong and other armed members of the organization were conducting their routine neighborhood patrol when they observed a police vehicle parked on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic. Philadelphia Neighborhoods observed Birdsong approach the officer and ask him to re-park the vehicle across the street, stating that the way the vehicle was currently parked was unlawful.
“There’s nothing I did. I actually was the one that was creating the public safety,” said Birdsong. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
“He was the one that was endangering it, not me,” Birdsong said. “I didn’t endanger public safety or create any unnecessary threat to public safety. I stopped the unnecessary threat to public safety.”
Birdsong approached the officer, stating that Pennsylvania law requires vehicles to park parallel to the curb in the direction of traffic, and asked him to move the vehicle.
Philadelphia Neighborhoods observed the officer get out of his vehicle and stand face-to-face with Birdsong. During their conversation, the officer’s hand rested on his holstered weapon.
“I got no family, no friends, no life – let’s do it,” said the officer.
Philadelphia Neighborhoods then observed Birdsong repeatedly asked the officer to move the police car. The officer did not move it. Birdsong requested a supervisor. Within three minutes of Birdsong approaching the officer, more than six police cars arrived.
The officer and other patrol cars eventually left, and the incident ended with no arrests.
Birdsong said three additional Black Lion Party members also had their licenses revoked. He said two were not even there that night.
“They did some sneaky stuff. They revoked it on the [Feb.] 9th, gave me the notice about it on the [Feb.] 13th, the day they could arrest me for not turning in my license,” Birdsong said.
The Philadelphia Police Department has not yet commented on the incident. Birdsong is appealing the decision to revoke his license to carry a firearm.
“They just did that freely, just because they have the power. They’re not following the law,” said Matthew Still, a member of the Black Lion Party.
This is a developing story. We will offer updates as more information becomes available.
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