On March 9th and 10th the embattled Uhuru Solidarity Movement held their annual convention in Saint Louis, Missouri, and the Center for Political Innovation was an active participant.

USM is the organization of white people under the leadership of the African People’s Socialist Party and Chairman Omali Yeshitela. The Biden Administration is currently prosecuting Yeshitela and two leaders of USM for the “crime” of publicly speaking out against America’s genocidal foreign policy and in support of Russia, China, Africa, and the Global South. They are facing 15 years in prison.

The Center for Political Innovation has been vocal and active in defending Chairman Yeshitela and the Uhuru Movement against this unconstitutional prosecution, raising the issue whenever and wherever possible, including at a recent press conference at the United Nations. CPI was an official endorser of the USM Convention, along with CPI allies the American Student Union and the Party of Communists USA. CPI’s John McCarthy attended and delivered a well received Solidarity Statement on behalf of Caleb Maupin and CPI.

The theme of this year’s convention was No More Genocide in Our Name and was dedicated to Aaron Bushnell and his heroic opposition to state sponsored mass murder against Palestine and here at home. Highlights included Chairman Yeshitela’s keynote address, a tour of the Party’s Economic Development Projects in Saint Louis, and a Panel on the Court Case in which all of the Uhuru 3 defendants, and two of their lawyers made presentations.

The Trial is set to take place in Tampa, Florida on September 3rd. The African People’s Socialist Party and the Uhuru Solidarity Movement plan to bring busloads of people to Tampa in September to protest and observe this bogus trial and the Center for Political Innovation will do our part to build attendance.