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 the entire community,” said Nevel, who works as a caregiver to a disabled person.
Nevel, who is white, is the national chair of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement, a group dedicated to organizing white support for black-led community social justice.
Ending police violence against the city’s black residents will be one plank of his mayoral platform, he said.So is fighting against the gentrification of the city’s predominantly black neighborhoods.
But the centerpiece will be for the city to pay reparations to its black residents, he said, adding that details will be forthcoming.
Nevel said he has discussed his candidacy with the Uhuru movement, but considers himself an independent candidate.
Earlier this month, Eritha Cainion, a member of the International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement, filed to run for City Council.
Incumbent Mayor Rick Kriseman is already running for reelection. So is perennial fringe candidate Paul Congemi.
The primary is August 29.
