Repression Against the Black Liberation Movement

Earlier this month we found out that Omali Yeshatali, Penny Hess, and Jesse Nevel along with other former members of the African People's Socialist Party, and 3 Russian Nationals were indicted on charges of "spreading malign influence on behalf of foreign governments" and being "influenced" by the Russian Government in order to oppose the war in Ukraine, to spread propaganda against NATO's encirclement of Russia and China, and to stand against the violent oppression of African, Indigenous, Latino, Asian and other oppressed people within and outside the domestic colonial states of the US.

This comes on the heels of the denial of Mumia Abu Jamal's appeal to a new trial and possible release, a similar denial of release for Leonard Peltier, the murder of Tortuguita and continued development of Cop City, the continued persecution and detention of Joshua Williams, of land protectors and water defenders around the world, and the reinvigoration of cold war sentiments of Racism, especially against African folks, but also Sinophobia, anti-communism, and warmongering. The APSP leaders underwent an invasion and occupation of their personal homes and APSP properties back in July 2022, which tipped the party and supporters off to what was likely going to be a continued effort to destabilize and disorganize the APSP and the Black Liberation Movement in general. COINTELPRO, the famous intelligence operation by the FBI, CIA and others US-government and non-government agencies which many know about today, has never fully "ended" but only reorganized itself under new names, new pretexts, and interacts with the masses and governments around the world in new ways.

Back in 2022, the Black Alliance for Peace released a statement condemning the repression of the African People's Socialist Party, and again recently another statement condemning the targeting and indictment of the APSP leadership, both of which show a clear awareness of the reason as to why the APSP and other African, Indigenous, Latino and Asian organizations, and individuals, among others, continue to face the brunt of global colonial and imperial subjugation and oppression. The Spirit of Mandela, the All-African People's Revolutionary Party, and others have been organizing different campaigns to take on the Empire from within and outside the belly of the beast, from the development of the People's Senate to the About the People installations, as well as mass demonstrations, public speaking sessions, and international solidarity campaigns. Many of their organizers like Elder Kwame Ture, and Jalil Muntaqim, have been political prisoners and faced repression among other activists and organizers of the 60s, 70s. and 80s. Another organizations of mention is Cooperation Jackson, but there are also plenty of local and regional organizations doing work against police occupation in oppressed communities, the NATO encirclement of Russia and China, freeing political prisoners, developing survival programs etc.

This is why the Black Liberation Movement, and the liberation struggles of African people on the continent of Africa, indigenous peoples of the Americas, and oppressed peoples in Asia and Europe as well, continue to face brutal repression and violence on a daily basis.

The International Tribunal on the Human Rights of the Black, Brown and Indigenous People which found the US guilty of Genocide based on 5 marks, including but not officially limited to 1) environmental racism, 2) police killings, 3) mass incarceration, 4) political incarceration, and 5) Public Health inequality, is a sign that the oppressed peoples of the world are continuing the historic struggles of their elders and ancestors, as well as finding new ways to organize their own forms of resistance against the Empire. What is most important to learn from these organizations and histories is that we need to always find ways to struggle and organize ourselves in order to educate about and fight against our collective oppressors.

Today we must stand with the APSP and support them through the continued abuse and harassment they are suffering at the hands of the reactionaries and the state. We must support them in whatever ways we can, in whatever means are at our disposal. The APSP website and statements, including press conferences and interviews, are readily available online and should be read and spread widely.

Please consider joining on in support either as an organization or an individual in the fight against State repression, with the APSP and other African, Indigenous, Latino, Asian, LGBTQIA+ and other organizations to fight for freedom, liberation and justice. We must fight

and we must win,

ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE!