On September 12, 2024, three leaders of the African Peoples' Socialist Party (APSP) and the Uhuru Movement were convicted on the charge of conspiring to act “as agents of the Russian government within the United States without prior notification.” The charge carries up to five years in prison. The jury found them not guilty of the charge of already acting as unregistered foreign agents.

The three Uhuru leaders convicted are Omali Yeshitela, Penny Hess and Jesse Nevel. Augustus Romain Jr, a former leader of APSP, was also charged and convicted. We, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, condemn this verdict wholeheartedly and view it as a grave injustice and an attack on our social movements.

During the course of the Tampa, Florida trial, the prosecution has offered up, as examples of so-called conspiracy, their organization's statements condemning the U.S.-Russia war in Ukraine, a United Nations petition denouncing genocide on Africans, international trips, and protests. It is clear to us that the African Peoples' Socialist Party and the Uhuru Movement were targeted for their political views.

The entire proceedings – from the FBI raids to the convictions – are an attack on our First Amendment rights to criticize the projects of U.S. imperialism, the U.S. wars, coups, interventions, and the U.S.-backed Israeli genocide taking place right now in Gaza. The case aims to set a legal precedent for criminalizing free speech, and any acts of international solidarity or communication with activists in other countries could henceforth bring anti-war organizations under fire.

The APSP and the Uhuru Movement are organizations led by Black socialists, and they were convicted by a jury that had no Black people on it. At one point, the judge had to choose an alternate due to one juror's absence; the defense argued for a Black replacement juror, and the judge denied their request.

This attack on the African Peoples' Socialist Party and the Uhuru Movement is an attack on us all. The Freedom Road Socialist Organization will join in any efforts to get justice. It should not be a crime to show solidarity with oppressed peoples around the world, nor to criticize the U.S. government's drumbeat of war. This trial was not the first witch hunt directed against the anti-war movement, nor will it be the last. We will fight for the defense of our social movements.

Justice for Uhuru 3!

Overturn the Conviction!

Solidarity Is Not a Crime!

#InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #Uhuru3 #APSP

The defense entered their evidence into the court without calling up any witnesses to the stand. Their evidence consisted of statements and articles from APSP’s publications showing the party’s long history of expressing solidarity with people’s movements across the globe. The defense argued that the defendants “are not for sale” and do not act on their sincerely held political beliefs at the direction of anyone.

The prosecution argued that the defendants were in a conspiracy with agents of the FSB, the Russian Federal Security Service, and that the First Amendment doesn’t apply because Russian nationals are not protected by the Constitution of the United States. They also argued that even if the defendants didn’t know they were allegedly acting as agents of a foreign government, they are not absolved of guilt.

The defense argued that the protests and statements that were entered as evidence against the defendants are protected speech under the First Amendment. The defense suggested that the Uhuru 3 were being targeted for their political beliefs and that a guilty verdict would set a dangerous precedent. The defense also argued that, since the prosecution only called FBI agents as witnesses, the government’s case against the Uhuru 3 is based upon cherry-picked, flimsy evidence.

The jury will begin deliberating tomorrow.

#TampaFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #Uhuru3 #APSP

The proceedings continued today with the interviewing and cross examination of an FBI agent witness. The prosecution is expected to present its final witness early tomorrow, after which the defense will begin its presentation. The trial is expected to begin to wrap up by the end of the week.

The Uhuru 3 are members of the African People’s Socialist Party and Uhuru Solidarity Movement who are charged with conspiracy to act as unregistered agents of the Russian government. The defense maintains that their activities constitute free political speech and that they are being targeted for their criticism of U.S. President Joe Biden and his administration's substantial military support for Ukraine and aggression against Russia.

#TampaFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #Uhuru3 #APSP

The prosecution first called Professor Brian Taylor, a professor of political science, to the stand as a witness. Taylor’s role in the trial was to provide background information on the Russian intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB). When other witnesses were questioned, it was revealed that there was no proof of any of the defendants or the Russian nationals being agents of the FSB.

The prosecution then called three FBI agents as witnesses. An FBI agent in charge of compiling the data seized from the raids revealed that the FBI seized 20 terabytes of data and, when asked, stated that it would take a lifetime to read that information.

An FBI agent who reviewed the data seized from the raids discussed the APSP’s involvement with the Anti-Globalist Movement (AGM) of Russia from 2015 to 2016. One of the main events examined was APSP Chairman Omali Yeshitela’s traveling to Moscow to speak at a conference hosted by the AGM. Also discussed was the Uhuru Movement’s involvement in writing a petition against the United States’ crimes against African Americans and organizing events for the petition during UN hearings. Omali Yeshitela’s attorney, Ade Griffin, argued that each of these actions falls under protected speech. The FBI agent agreed with Griffin when asked.

The final witness was a language analyst for the FBI who translated the Russian documents, chats, audio files, and text on images that were used in the investigation. After explaining how she translated these items, the defense had no cross-examination and she and the jury were free to leave the courtroom.

After the jurors left, Judge William Jung cited the case U.S. v. Duran (2005) to suggest that there is precedent that a defendant does not need to knowingly commit a crime, particularly regarding the charge of conspiring with a foreign government, to be charged. However, both Judge Jung and Attorney Mutaqee Akbar noted the language used in the statute for the crime of conspiracy. According to the statute, conspiracy is committed when two or more persons intentionally come together to commit an offense against or defraud the United States.

The trial of the Uhuru 3 is expected to continue for another three weeks.

#TampaFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #Uhuru3 #APSP #Feature

St. Petersburg, FL – “We’re going to beat you in the court, and then when we do that we’re going to beat you in the streets,” said former NYC Councilman Charles Barron. He was talking about the fight for justice for the Uhuru 3, addressing a crowd of 125 community members and activists. The crowd gathered outside the Uhuru House in Saint Petersburg, Florida on August 31 to rally around the Uhuru 3, three Uhuru Movement leaders facing 15 years in prison for their international solidarity work.

On July 29, 2022, the FBI carried out violent, military-style raids on Uhuru Movement leader Chairman Omali Yeshitela’s home in Saint Louis, Missouri, and several other homes and offices. A year later, a federal grand jury in Tampa, Florida indicted three Uhuru members on bogus claims of acting as agents of the Russian government. The Uhuru 3 includes Omali Yeshitela, chairman and founder of the African Peoples Socialist Party (APSP) and the Uhuru Movement; Penny Hess, chairperson of the African People’s Solidarity Committee; and Jesse Nevel, chair of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement.

These charges are not coming down for any wrongdoing, but because of the Uhuru 3’s political positions. “We understand that these charges are a part of a long and brutal history of political repression waged by the U.S. government against the people’s movements. Those who have fought for a better world, for the masses and oppressed people, have been made and seen as enemies of the U.S. government,” said Joesph Nohava of the Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (TAARPR).

“The Uhuru 3 are not guilty of these charges, there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever of the nonsense that they have accused the chairman and the Uhuru 3 of carrying out. If it was about the law, we would have gotten an acquittal yesterday. If it was about the evidence, we would have gotten an acquittal yesterday. It has nothing to do with the law. They’re using the law as an instrument to make a political attack,” said Jesse Nevel, one of the Uhuru 3.

The rally included speakers from several different organizations, including the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Julian Assange Defense Committee, Committee to Stop FBI Repression, Union Del Bario, Students for a Democratic Society, and more.

Those in attendance recognized that the case of the Uhuru represents a larger attack on the First Amendment right to free speech within social movements. “This is coming down not just on their organization or our organization. If they can put the African People’s Socialist Party in, they can put you in prison, they will not stop,” said Joe Iosbaker, one of the Anti-War 23 – anti-war and international solidarity activists who were subpoenaed or raided by the FBI in 2010.

Speaking to the variety of progressive organizations showing solidarity with the Uhuru 3, Chairman Omali Yeshitela said, “I know there’s all kinds of differences in terms of political and tactical and things like that. But I’m saying there’s enough room in here because the greater divide is not between us. It’s between us and them. That’s the great divide that we have to take on.”

On Tuesday, September 3, the Uhuru 3 will face trial at the Sam Gibbons Federal Courthouse in Tampa, Florida. Progressive people from all across the country will be traveling to pack the courthouse to defend the Uhuru 3 and our right to free speech.

#StPetersburgFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #Uhuru3 #APSP

Los Angeles, CA – In a packed room of Black and Chicano activists, high school students, and other supporters, a May 23 forum was held in support of the Hands Off the Uhuru 3 movement. The Uhuru movement is led by the African People's Socialist Party, which is facing political attacks by the FBI.

On July 29, 2022, the FBI carried out a violent military style pre-dawn raid on Uhuru Movement leader Omali Yeshitela’s home in North St. Louis, Missouri. They also raided several other homes and offices.

In April of 2023, the U.S. government indicted Chairman Omali Yeshitela, African People's Solidarity Committee Chairperson Penny Hess, and Uhuru Solidarity Movement Chair Jesse Nevel on false, slanderous charges that they were working for Russia.

The Los Angeles event was emceed by Ron Gochez, political secretary of Union del Barrio (UdB). He welcomed Desiree P. Gaytan of UdB, who gave a brief history of Black political struggle in South Central Los Angeles, including the Watts Rebellion and the LAPD attack on the Black Panther Party.

Several solidarity statements were given including African Town Coalition, Ron Wilkins, the Lumumba Coalition, Black Alliance for Peace, and the Socialist Unity Party.

A statement from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization’s Central Committee was read by Carlos Montes, “Freedom Road Socialist Organization is committed to pushing back against this repression and we stand in solidarity with those under attack. We know from experience how important resistance to repression is.”

Montes also stressed the long history of unity with the Chicano and Black liberation movements.

The program included a video of the FBI raid of seven of the APSP homes and offices. The FBI used flash and smoke grenades and smashed open doors and detained Chairman Omali and his wife.

The keynote address was given by African People's Socialist Party Chairman Omali Yeshitela, who denounced the FBI raids and the bogus charges.

A call was made to attend the trial in Tampa, Florida on September 3. A spirited fundraising pitch raised more than $2000.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #Uhuru3 #UDB #APSP #BAP #SUP

Philadelphia, PA – Over 70 people took to the streets of North Philadelphia on May 1, International Workers Day. Community members and political organizations rallied together at the Philadelphia Peace Park, an area that has been liberated by the community from the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s racist management. It is now the site of a community garden where Peace Park volunteers are building a structure to hold community and educational events.

Although it is an international holiday and is more widely recognized in some countries than it is in the United States, the origins of May Day stretch back to Chicago in the 1880s. For over 100 years, May 1 has marked a day for the international working class to show solidarity as a class and support the rights of all.

The initial rally at the Peace Park stressed both the solidarity of those present in their fight against the oppressors and the memory of those fighters who live on through their contributions to the struggle.

The crowd formed up in the street and proceeded to the beat of drums to wave the red flag of socialism, the red, black and green flag of Black liberation, and the banners of embattled Palestine and the Philippines. Police shut down the roads three blocks in each direction of the demonstration as it moved. They marched chanting, “What’s the plan? Free the land! What’s the call? Free them all,“ to the office of the Philadelphia Housing Authority to deliver a statement demanding the deed to the land where the park is located. Marchers made it clear that Peace Park isn’t going anywhere and will not be surrendered back to the housing authority to be used for gentrification.

Organizers stopped two more times and took the mic to speak on imperialism, the history of Philadelphia, and the need for organization and solidarity in the international struggle against capitalism and national oppression.

Krystal Strong, representing Black Lives Matter Philly, spoke on the importance of organization and solidarity, stating “If you look at our history when we’ve been our strongest, when we’ve been the closest to liberation there's two things that we’ve done: the first is to join an organization, there is a place for every single member of our community, including the children, in our struggle; and we have connected across our organizations.”

Demonstrators finished their march back at the Peace Park where they shared a delicious and healthy meal.

Many organizations contributed to and supported the day’s events including the Philly Peace Park, We Charge Colonialism, African People’s Socialist Party, Philly Black Worker’s Project, Black Lives Matter Philly, Ubuntu Freedom, All-African People’s Revolutionary Party, Voices of the People Podcast, Anakbayan Philly with many others present including Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

#PhiladelphiaPA #PA #Labor #MayDay #FRSO #APSP #WCC #BLM #BWP #AAPRP #Anakbayan