About this case - Who are the Uhuru 3?

The Uhuru 3 are Omali Yeshitela, Chairman of the African People’s Socialist Party (APSP); and two white solidarity organizers who work under the Uhuru Movement’s leadership: Penny Hess, Chair of the African People’s Solidarity Committee (APSC); and Jesse Nevel, Chair of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement (USM).

On July 29, 2022 the FBI carried out simultaneous, pre-dawn, violent, military-style raids on seven homes and offices of the Uhuru “Freedom” Movement and the African People’s Socialist Party in two cities (St. Louis, MO and St. Petersburg, FL). 

Nine months later, In April 2023, the Uhuru 3 were indicted by the U.S. government on bogus charges of bogus charges of being “agents of a foreign government” or “Russian agents” for exercising their right to free speech to advocate for the liberation of African people. The Uhuru Movement has over 50 years of work advocating for the liberation and unification of Africa and forcibly dispersed African people everywhere.

These charges carry prison sentences of up to 15 years for each of the Uhuru 3. 

On Sept. 28, 2023, a Motion to Dismiss the Charges against the Uhuru 3 was presented to US court in Tampa, Florida.

And in January 2024, the Magistrate Judge made the recommendation for Order to Deny Motion for Dismissal. 

The trial date was set for September 3rd, 2024, in Tampa Florida – where the Uhuru 3 are called on the people to show up for this historic trial, and to participate in the “Not One Step Backwards” Rally on August 31st in St. Petersburg, FL pushing back the attacks.

In September, 2024 the “free speech trial of the century” took place in federal court in Tampa, FL. The U.S. government lied and lost. The Uhuru Movement told the truth and won! 

The Jury found the Uhuru 3 “NOT GUILTY” of being Russian agents. As Chairman Omali Yeshitela said, “The most important thing is they were unable to convict us of working for anybody except Black people!”

The prosecutors deliberately misled and confused the jury into returning an inconsistent verdict that acquitted the Uhuru 3 of being Russian agents, while convicting them on a bogus “conspiracy” charge that carries a maximum five year prison sentence. 

The sentencing hearing was set for December 16, 2024 in Tampa, FL. Over 1600 character letters in support of the Uhuru 3 were sent to the Judge. On December 16th scores of supporters and defenders packed the court for the sentencing.  The Uhuru 3 were sentenced to 3 years probation and 300 hours of community service. The Judge said, “No Prison Time, and No Fine!” for the Uhuru 3.  This was a victory to the anti-colonial free speech struggle.

We continued to fight, moving forward with appealing the bogus conspiracy verdict! In October 2024, Uhuru 3 Attorney Leonard Goodman post-trial motion for a judgment of acquittal on behalf of the Uhuru 3 on the conspiracy charge or a new trial.

In June 2025, Uhuru 3 Attorney Leonard Goodman submitted a motion to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the wrongful conspiracy conviction. 

On January 23, 2026, district judge William F. Jung entered an order granting the motions for early termination of probation following the Uhuru 3’s completion of their community service hours. 

In April 2026, district judge William F. Jung granted oral arguments to be heard on the appeal to overturn the conviction. 

The precedent-setting Uhuru 3 appeal hearing, which will determine the future of free speech in the U.S., is set for Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 9:00 a.m.CT in Courtroom 339 at the Elbert P. Tuttle U.S. Court of Appeals Building, located at 56 Forsyth St NW, Atlanta, GA. Uhuru 3 and attorneys are calling on supporters to join us in Atlanta to pack the courtroom and defend the right to freedom of speech!

The charges and conviction against the Uhuru 3 reveal the historical and ongoing escalation of attacks on free speech rights, freedom to organize, and freedom to struggle for liberation of African, Indigenous and all oppressed peoples of the world.  Uhuru means FREEDOM.

All Out to Atlanta for Uhuru 3 Oral Arguments! 

Drop the Charges on the Uhuru 3! Hands Off Uhuru! Hands Off Africa!

Hands Off Chairman Omali Yeshitela!  

See More: Uhuru 3 Trial Coverage and Campaign News & Analysis