Spear staff

Lynne Stewart, the militant lawyer who went up against U.S. state power to defend African, Arab and other oppressed nation activists, died March 7 in New York.

Stewart was 77 and is survived by her husband, Ralph Poynter, a member of the Black is Back Coalition.

After serving 4 years of a 10-year sentence as a political prisoner, Stewart was released from prison in December 2013 as a result of popular pressure on the government in the face of breast cancer that was terminal.

Newly hatched mayoral candidate Jesse Nevel officially launched his challenge to incumbent St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman Wednesday morning with a pledge to end poverty and misery on the city's historically black south side.

Nevel, a 27-year-old member of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement—a group of white activists that stands with the African People's Socialist Movement (also known as Uhuru)—launched his bid with a striking slogan: "Unity through Reparations." It's the idea that the city should invest more resources in leveling the playing field for the city's African-American population. Some 20,000 or so people on the south side live below the poverty level and many are plagued with disproportionate rates of addiction and homelessness. And the few opportunities available to many residents are low-wage retail and service jobs that keep the city's tourism economy going. That has to stop, Nevel said.

On Monday, March 6, 2017, 20-year-old Eritha “Akilé” Cainion threw her hat into the race to become the next councilperson for District 6 in St. Petersburg. She made the announcement while standing in front of the recently shutdown St. Petersburg, Florida Walmart with her proud parents and a group of enthusiastic supporters.

 
“I am 20 years old and for all these 20 years I have lived in this city, specifically in this neighborhood. In all these 20 years, the St. Petersburg city government has done nothing but work against the black community. I have entered this election because the black community is and has been under assault by the leaders of this city,” declared Akilé.

"White Solidarity with Black Power" is the national convention of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement, April 1-2, 2017 in St. Petersburg, Florida. USM is the organization of white people working under the leadership of the African People's Socialist Party.

Eritha Cainion (traditionally known as Akilé Anai) filed paperwork this week at City Hall for the council seat to be vacated by term-limited Karl Nurse. She joins an already crowded field of candidates, including: local NAACP president Maria Scruggs, Lakewood Terrace activist and South St. Petersburg CRA advisory board member Corey Givens and perennial candidate Sharon Russ.

Cainion says she has discussed financial and grassroots support with the Uhuru movement, but considers herself a non-partisan candidate that will accept support from across the city. 

A second candidate with ties to the Uhuru Movement has emerged for the upcoming city elections.

Jesse Nevel’s slogan for his mayoral run?  “Unity through reparations.”

Nevel, 27, a Miami native who has lived in the city since he was 18, said he decided to make his initial foray into politics fight for justice for the city’s black residents.

“I decided to run because the old guard is on its way out and we want to see economic development for black communities and this city that is something that will uplift 

February 21, 2017 marks the 52nd anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X by the State. This day is also institutionalized by the African People’s Socialist Party as African Martyrs’ Day, in honor of brother Malcolm X and all our brothers and sisters who have been killed by the State during the struggle for African Liberation.

Freedom Fighter. Leader. Revolutionary. There are many words used to describe our dear and departed brother El Hajj Malik El Shabazz who was known to the world as Malcolm X.

HOUSTON––On February 18th, ground was broken in Houston, Texas to plant seeds at the 5th Ward Community Garden by members of All African People’s Development and Empowerment Project (AAPDEP) and the International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement (InPDUM) and the 5th Ward community in honor of our fallen African Martys.

The event, opened up with the powerful rhythm of African drums,  featured guest speakers, such as long time African People’s Socialist Party member Omowale Kefing, Black Panther Party Alumni Bunchy Crear and the local InPDUM President, Teila N. Comrade Willie N. Rodriquez from the Chicano/Indigenous movement also spoke some words of encouragement

Roses are red, Violets are blue, There is blood on those flowers, And on the chocolates too!

February 14th, Valentine’s Day, is seen as a celebration of the expression of love and affection. In the U.S., about $20 billion was spent last year and on average, an individual spent about $146. Nearly $2 billion was spent on flowers alone.