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© Vernon Bryant/Staff PhotographerMembers of the Huey P. Newton Gun Club chanted slogans including “black power” and “justice for Michael Brown” during their peaceful protest on Wednesday.
Two dozen protesters - most of them armed - from a gun club named after the founder of the original Black Panther Party peacefully marched through parts of South Dallas on Wednesday.

The open-carry rally was organized by the Huey P. Newton Gun Club to promote self-defense and community policing in response to recent police shootings, both nationally and locally.

Police monitored the black-clad demonstrators, some of whom had rifles slung over their shoulders. As they walked down MLK Boulevard and Malcolm X Boulevard in the blistering heat, many chanted "black power" and "justice for Michael Brown," the black teenager fatally shot by police this month in suburban St. Louis. His death has touched off a string of often-violent protests in that area.

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© Vernon Bryant/Staff PhotographerThe group says it wants an end to police shootings of unarmed people, particularly blacks. It also asks people to consider carrying weapons for their protection.
While the Dallas marchers frequently chanted Brown's name, they said their main goal was to shed light on local shootings by police. Dallas County leaders recently announced that they are looking into ways to change how they investigate shootings involving police officers.

"We think that all black people have the right to self-defense and self-determination," said Huey Freeman, a march organizer. "We believe that we can police ourselves and bring security to our own communities."

Freeman said Wednesday's marchers planned to patronize several South Dallas businesses to keep their money in the community and teach their neighbors about their "right to self-defense."

At one point, the group stopped at Elaine's Kitchen, and one of the organizers told those who were armed to display their weapons in a "safe, disciplined manner."

Several car drivers passing by the area honked and waved at the protesters.

Established about three months ago, the Huey P. Newton Gun Club calls for an end to shootings by police of unarmed individuals - particularly blacks. It also asks people to consider carrying weapons "to protect themselves," according to a news release.

"We need to arm ourselves, not to attack anybody, but in self-defense," said Darrin X, a representative of the New Black Panther Party. "We can't let people just come into our community, whether they are law enforcement or not, and just gun our people down and there is no accountability."

Dallas police officers appeared to follow the demonstrators in unmarked police cars. Toward the beginning of the 90-minute demonstration, a couple of police cars temporarily blocked off MLK Boulevard so the protesters could safely cross the street.

Christina Smith, acting commander of the Police Department's strategic deployment bureau, said the "low profile" police presence was not unusual.

"It is standard protocol for non-uniformed officers to be present at all scheduled protests/rallys in order to protect the rights of the demonstrators as well as other citizens," Smith wrote in an email.

"I would rather them not be here because there are many issues going on here with regards to police brutality," said Charles Goodson, a spokesman for the Huey P. Newton Gun Club. "But, at the same time, if it helps the community by seeing the police here or makes people more comfortable, then that's fine."