Contributed by Dave Davies of the Daily News...
Police were called to site of the NAACP mayoral forum Tuesday night after a sidewalk confrontation involving Tom Knox campaign volunteer Michael Youngblood and the heckling partner of Tommy the Loan Shark.
The Shark is part of a two-man team that follows Knox on the campaign trail, pelting him with taunts about Knox's days in payday lending. The other half the team, Jim Nixon, was speaking through a bullhorn when he says Youngblood aggressively approached him and began spewing profane threats.
“He comes to me and says ‘You’re in my neighborhood now, m-f. I’ve messed up people tougher than you. I’ll crack your skull. I’ll shove that megaphone up you’re a--.”
Nixon, who says he’s a graduate student not affiliated with any campaign, spoke to a police officer who’d arrived, and gave a statement. Police confirmed that a car was dispatched after a 9-1-1 call, and that a statement was taken from Nixon.
Youngblood admitted having words with Nixon, but denied he threatened anyone. He said Nixon was blocking his path to the event and taunting him by name.
“He was at me, I wasn’t at him,” Youngblood said. “He gets up in my face with a bullhorn…Look if I was going to do something, I wouldn’t have talked about it. It would have been done.”
Participants in the forum were apparently unaware of the commotion outside the Freedom Theater, where the event was held. Knox began and ended his remarks with an attempt at humor involving Tommy the Loan Shark.
“Even though I have to leave early, I hope when it’s over you’ll all enjoy a nice fish fry,” Knox said. “There’s one outside.”
Nixon said Tommy the Loan Shark, who now has his own cartoon blog, was unavailable for comment.
PS: We heart Philadelphia Will Do's Tommy the Loan Shark collection...
Comments (5)
Good to see that KNox is employing such upstanding people as Mike Youngblood on his campaign.
I guess its good to have him around in case you need anybody pistol-whipped.
Posted by Jill | April 19, 2007 9:33 AM
Oh, dear!! First the floundering speech in the debate, now the sharks attack!! Call the Camden Aquarium!! Quickly!!!! We're being overrun by dangerous seacreatures!!
Posted by FTP | April 19, 2007 11:29 AM
Youngblood is gonna get his money - a great pick forwarded by Janie Blackwell in her bid to become Council President - we need to integrate her district and kick her butt out! Her, Jonnie Doc and all those cronies are good reasons to change this government - and of course reject that phoney knox -he is an enemy of the people!
Posted by Anonymous | April 20, 2007 5:41 PM
Tommy the Loan Shark thank you for being there.
Tom Knox campaign so called volunteer Michael Youngblood gets paid big bucks for going around with Knox. He is a member of his staff. At staff meetings with Tom Knox each morning (weekdays)ect.
Posted by Struggle for Truth | April 21, 2007 12:36 PM
Youngblood is taking down cash in a big way from no knox on behalf fo the plantation Queen Janie Blackwell - let us get rid of her too - she be stinkin'
Posted by I'm a homey too | April 21, 2007 5:00 PM