St. Petersburg, FL – On March 23, 300 postal workers and community members came out with the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) union to stand against the privatization of the post office. With recent talk of President Trump transferring USPS to the department of commerce and privatizing it, union members are ready to stand up for the future of the public service.

Attendees held signs and stood at all corners of a busy intersection to bring awareness to the current uncertainty. The privatization of the post office could mean an estimated cut of 10,000 jobs, an increase in shipping costs, and an end to rural service.

All eyes are on Trump as he has continued to gut public services, including the Department of Education, national parks and library services. This action was one of hundreds around the country and the American Postal Workers Union and NALC will both continue to be holding actions to defend the postal service.

#StPetersburgFL #FL #Labor #Postal #NALC #APWU

St. Petersburg, FL – “We’re going to beat you in the court, and then when we do that we’re going to beat you in the streets,” said former NYC Councilman Charles Barron. He was talking about the fight for justice for the Uhuru 3, addressing a crowd of 125 community members and activists. The crowd gathered outside the Uhuru House in Saint Petersburg, Florida on August 31 to rally around the Uhuru 3, three Uhuru Movement leaders facing 15 years in prison for their international solidarity work.

On July 29, 2022, the FBI carried out violent, military-style raids on Uhuru Movement leader Chairman Omali Yeshitela’s home in Saint Louis, Missouri, and several other homes and offices. A year later, a federal grand jury in Tampa, Florida indicted three Uhuru members on bogus claims of acting as agents of the Russian government. The Uhuru 3 includes Omali Yeshitela, chairman and founder of the African Peoples Socialist Party (APSP) and the Uhuru Movement; Penny Hess, chairperson of the African People’s Solidarity Committee; and Jesse Nevel, chair of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement.

These charges are not coming down for any wrongdoing, but because of the Uhuru 3’s political positions. “We understand that these charges are a part of a long and brutal history of political repression waged by the U.S. government against the people’s movements. Those who have fought for a better world, for the masses and oppressed people, have been made and seen as enemies of the U.S. government,” said Joesph Nohava of the Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (TAARPR).

“The Uhuru 3 are not guilty of these charges, there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever of the nonsense that they have accused the chairman and the Uhuru 3 of carrying out. If it was about the law, we would have gotten an acquittal yesterday. If it was about the evidence, we would have gotten an acquittal yesterday. It has nothing to do with the law. They’re using the law as an instrument to make a political attack,” said Jesse Nevel, one of the Uhuru 3.

The rally included speakers from several different organizations, including the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Julian Assange Defense Committee, Committee to Stop FBI Repression, Union Del Bario, Students for a Democratic Society, and more.

Those in attendance recognized that the case of the Uhuru represents a larger attack on the First Amendment right to free speech within social movements. “This is coming down not just on their organization or our organization. If they can put the African People’s Socialist Party in, they can put you in prison, they will not stop,” said Joe Iosbaker, one of the Anti-War 23 – anti-war and international solidarity activists who were subpoenaed or raided by the FBI in 2010.

Speaking to the variety of progressive organizations showing solidarity with the Uhuru 3, Chairman Omali Yeshitela said, “I know there’s all kinds of differences in terms of political and tactical and things like that. But I’m saying there’s enough room in here because the greater divide is not between us. It’s between us and them. That’s the great divide that we have to take on.”

On Tuesday, September 3, the Uhuru 3 will face trial at the Sam Gibbons Federal Courthouse in Tampa, Florida. Progressive people from all across the country will be traveling to pack the courthouse to defend the Uhuru 3 and our right to free speech.

#StPetersburgFL #FL #InJusticeSystem #PoliticalRepression #Uhuru3 #APSP

The teachers and support staff aimed the message at legislators. They demanded relief from staffing shortages, raised awareness of the impact of these attacks on their working conditions and students’ learning conditions, and pushed back against the attempt to gut their union.

The rally began at the Saint Pete City Hall, and marched to the Tomlinson Adult Learning Center, nearby, which before it was closed and sold by the county, taught GED seekers and immigrants for 100 years. The county cited high cost of living downtown as a reason that enrollment declined and turned around to sell the lot to build high-priced luxury condos, according to event organizers.

As the protesters made their way through downtown, they were met with cheers and honks from supportive members of the community.

“We won’t be fooled,” said PCTA President Nancy Velardi, as she explained that the so called “teachers bill of rights,” SB 244, and the bill targeting public sector unions, SB 256, would do anything but protect teachers, as it requires 60% representation of teachers or face decertification. Decertifying the union would leave the teachers without representation in bargaining and negotiations with school boards. As bad as this part of the bill is, it also bans all union materials in the workplace, and bans direct withdrawals from members’ paychecks toward their union dues.

Leaving the Department of Education to protect teachers’ rights is like, “your principal, or your boss, telling you they’re going to look out for you. That’s why we have unions in the first place,” according to Velardi.

The teachers’ union has been a vocal advocate for their members, speaking out recently against the state’s drive to re-open schools in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that would and has resulted in children and teachers getting sick, worsening the staffing crisis that the legislature has complained about.

Speakers from the PESPA, members of both unions, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Students for a Democratic Society, and the Pinellas Tenant’s Union, all spoke about the intertwined attacks on housing affordability, attacks on higher education, and against African Americans, with the recent banning of a Ruby Bridges movie – which tells the story of the six-year-old African American girl who first integrated New Orleans public schools – because one Pinellas parent objected.

DeSantis has unleashed a torrent of right-wing garbage this legislative session, as his right-wing minions scramble to do his bidding, the bidding of big business and a host of other reactionaries. Because when he targets teachers unions, the most unionized profession in Florida, DeSantis and his backers really are also targeting workers in general, hoping to terrorize them into accepting substandard and unsafe conditions and pay and leaving them without a voice in negotiations.

DeSantis has also pushed through a “school choice” bill, that would gut funding of public education. It would provide $8000 coupons for anyone to send their children to charter schools, which would be free to discriminate against special needs students. PESPA President Nelly Henjes explained that would result in, “those students coming back to us, in the public schools, after we’ve had our money taken away.” This giveaway to millionaires aligns perfectly with DeSantis’ tax giveaways to his big business backers over the past few years.

But in light of all these attacks on workers, students and parents, today’s rally disproved the expectation in Tallahassee that workers would roll over and not stand up against these attacks, or that the community wouldn’t rally to the side their teachers. Speakers emphasized the importance of joining militant unions that fight for their members, now more than ever.

#StPetersburgFL #TeachersUnions #PinellasClassroomTeachersAssociationPCTA

St. Petersburg, FL – On Nov. 13, the recent wave of nationwide anti-Trump protests crashed the shores of downtown Saint Petersburg, when over 1000 people gathered at Demen’s Landing. The protesters marched to nearby Williams Park and back during Sunday evening’s mass-demonstration. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)-St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay Alliance for Positive Change cosponsored the protest.

Chants from the crowd such as “Stand up, fight back” and “The people united will never be defeated,” could be heard from blocks away as the protesters marched through the business-heavy portion of the city. This display of unity attracted both support and disapproval from local bystanders at nearby bars and restaurants.

A wide array of organizations such as the Tampa Anti-War Committee, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and SDS-St. Petersburg were represented at the rally. Overall, the groups in attendance maintained that the election-night win of Donald Trump brought a variety of different injustices to the table.

Heather Henry of the Tampa Anti-War committee said, “He is going to put more money towards the growth of our military and our police forces, furthering our militarized presence at home and abroad, leading to more violence.”

Jorge Pedroza from SDS-St. Petersburg maintained that there was still work to be done after this week’s mass protests, saying that “the struggle wasn’t won or lost on election night.” He explained that it was due time for the people to “raise class consciousness through active participation” and to “build a truly united front to fight back against the common enemy shared by the working class.”

A brief open-mic session followed and the event cosponsors closed by leading the chant, “Power in the streets, power to the people.”

#StPetersburgFL #StudentMovement #SDS #PeoplesStruggles

St. Petersburg, FL – Over 3000 farmworkers and supporters from around the country gathered at Bartlett Park, March 21, then marched to demand workers’ rights. Some chants heard during the march were, “Up, up with the fair food nation! Down, down, with the exploitation!”, “One, we are the people! Two, a little bit louder! Three, we want justice for farmworkers!” and “J-U-S, J-U-S-T-I-C-E is what we want, is justice for Immokalee!”

Sam Beutler of the Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society attended his first-ever Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) event. “This great event was led by mostly Central American, Haitian and Mexican farmworkers,” says Beutler. “Events that are actually led and organized by those whom are affected are perfect examples of what we all should be trying to do in our own groups. The Immokalee, Florida workers are at the forefront of the fight against the slave-like conditions that many farmworkers all over the U.S. experience and they are fighting back! I as a student am here to fully, support their fight for justice and equality.”

Formed in 1993, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers teamed up with the Student/Farmworker Alliance (SFA) to demand basic worker rights for farmworkers like bathroom breaks, portable toilets on job sites, water, an end to harassment and even implemented a punch-card system for farmworkers. This year's event was titled Concert for Fair Food and organizers were able to book Grammy-award winning bands like Ruby Velle and the SoulPhonics, Ozomatli and La Santa Cecilia.

Dr. Heidi Castañeda, an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida and an immigration researcher was one of the marchers. Castañeda says, “The principles for fair food and worker justice continue to be issues that people around the nation can rally behind. This weekend is both a celebration of previous victories in addition to calls for further action, and the CIW continues to energize the movement for farm-worker justice.”

Among the supporters present were Tampa and Gainesville groups like Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society, Students for Justice in Palestine, the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, local UPS workers, Freedom Road Socialist Organization and Raíces en Tampa.

“As a member of the community and as an activist I believe that everyone deserves a fair pay,” says Alicia Gazga of Raíces en Tampa. “Publix and Wendy's should be ashamed for not joining the fair food program. I grew up in Collier County, Florida which is about 45 minutes form Immokalee city. I spent many weekends helping the CIW with anything they needed for events like this. These are the types of actions we all should support!”

A call to action was made by the SFA and the CIW for all who attended the Concert for Fair Food. Three major tasks people are urged to take on are to pressure the chain Publix – which is the biggest grocery company in the Southern U.S. – by publicly asking for them to support the Immokalee Workers. The second tasks is to schedule a public showing of the movie made by the CIW and SFA titled Food Chains (now available on Netflix) and to use it as a way to launch an action. And finally, to organize a protest in solidarity with the Immokalee Workers – demanding justice for those who experience the everyday effects that corporate America has on the lives of the undocumented.

Marisol Márquez, of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization says, “It is no surprise that the majority of farmworkers are of Central American and Mexican descent and these are the same people are the ones who have all the worst living conditions put against them. Central Americans and Mexicans are almost always, undocumented and as things currently are, they are the same immigrants who will never be given the chance to apply for legal status. This concert, this march this weekend is them fighting back! As a Chicana who grew up in the fields who fully supports the fight for self determination, I am here supporting the efforts of these farm-workers. After all, we want liberation!”

#StPetersburgFL #ImmigrantRights #PeoplesStruggles #Farmworkers

When asked why the U.S. is not invading Syria or Iran, Mike Fox of the Progressive Democrats stated, “because of everyone in this room!” Fox was asserting that anti-war organizers in Florida and across the country are effective at creating public opinion opposed to U.S. air strikes and military intervention. Other speakers pointed to the fact that Syria and Iran currently stand against U.S. imperialism and have built up defenses against U.S. intervention and war.

Brian Moore of NCCPJ said that because “capitalism is crumbling and failing” the U.S. does not have the resources to carry out military action against these countries. A question was also posed about what the difference may have been had McCain (in 2008) or Romney (in 2012) been elected. Jesse Nevel of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement argued that both Democrats and Republicans “represent contending sectors of the ruling class” that have “different strategies, but the same imperialist goals” when it comes to U.S. foreign policy.

The panelists were united in their belief that U.S. intervention of any kind would only bring more death and destruction to the people of Iraq. They praised the Iraqi people for resisting U.S. domination and exploitation of their country for over a decade. Panelists spoke to the U.S. corporate media's narrative that the tensions in Iraq are due to longstanding sectarian divisions. Some spoke on how sectarian warfare is promoted by the U.S. and NATO to divide regions amongst imperialist countries to create the conditions of domination in the ensuing chaos.

Speakers noted that the people of Iraq and other countries subject to U.S. imperialism are bravely resisting the conditions and colonial borders imposed upon them by the West. The panelists and audience plan to organize against any threats of U.S. war and take to the streets in protest.  Gage Lacharite of Tampa Bay-Students for a Democratic Society said, “The protest will be yet another showing of anti-war and anti imperialist sentiment against MacDill AFB, the home of Special Ops in America.”

Organizers in the St. Pete/Tampa area are planning a demonstration for June 27 at 4pm on the corner of Gandy and Dale Mabry Boulevard, near the entrance to MacDill Air Force Base, home of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) where plans for U.S. warfare are drawn up.

#StPetersburgFL #AntiwarMovement #Iraq #IraqWar

St. Petersburg, FL – More than 50 people gathered here, Jan. 22, to rally on the 40th anniversary of Roe V. Wade. Protesters gathered on a busy street corner to stand up for women's rights and access to safe healthcare. There were anti-choice demonstrators who showed up to counter-protest the event, but those present did not allow the anti-choicers to stifle their voice.

Jan. 22 was a historic day in our country's history. It was the 40th anniversary of Roe V. Wade, the historic Supreme Court case that legalized abortion for women in this country. In the past 40 years, however, there have been many attacks on this landmark decision, with many states in the country taking steps to restrict access to comprehensive healthcare for women. Some states in the country, such as Mississippi, now have only one clinic that provides abortions for all the women of the state. Women who choose to receive services at these clinics are bombarded and harassed by the very same anti-choice demonstrators that were present at the rally in Saint Petersburg today.

There were many organizations at the rally, which was organized by Planned Parenthood – Students for a Democratic Society, Dream Defenders, and the National Organization for Women (NOW) all showed up.

Vivian Taylor, Vice-president of Pinellas County NOW, said of the event, “It is imperative that we recognize that abortion rights are workers' rights. The vast majority of abortions are had by working-class women. When access is restricted, women in impoverished areas suffer the most. The rhetoric of privacy rights has long outlived its usefulness. Abortion is a class issue.”

Seeing the people present at this event who braved the counter-demonstrators to take a stand for women's rights was truly inspiring and gives testament to the fact that the people will not give in to right-wing demands to give up women's reproductive rights. People are struggling in the streets and will continue to fight back as long as we need to stand up for women’s rights.

#StPetersburgFL #womensMovement #abortion #RoeVWade #workersRights