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The Uhuru Movement is a socialist, Pan-Africanist movement founded in 1972 by the African People's Socialist Party (APSP), led by Omali Yeshitela. It operates on the theory of African internationalism, asserting a historical materialist view of African people's social and economic conditions globally. African internationalism posits that capitalism emerged parasitically through the exploitation of Africa and its people, challenging Lenin's theory by stating capitalism as imperialism's highest stage. It views Africans in imperialist centers like the U.S. and Europe as internal colonies.
Historically, the Movement has been critical of U.S. policing, advocating for the release of all African prisoners and withdrawal of police from African American communities. Tensions in the 1990s, especially in St. Petersburg, Florida, escalated after the police killing of a young black man in 1996, leading to protests and riots, though the Movement's activities have largely been peaceful.
The International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement (InPDUM) promotes reparations and self-government for Africans worldwide, and The Burning Spear Newspaper serves as the voice of the African Revolution.
Controversies have involved the Movement's leader Yeshitela, including the tearing down of a Halloween display in 2004 and interrupting Barack Obama in 2008 on African community issues. Criticism has also come from the Anti-Defamation League for purported anti-Israel rallies in 2009, and the same year, a march in support of Lovelle Mixon, who killed four police officers in Oakland.
In Germany, the Uhuru Movement faced backlash for alleged antisemitism, leading to disavowal by the General Students' Committee at Johannes Gutenberg University.
In 2023, the Movement faced a federal indictment for collaborating with alleged Russian foreign agent Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov to destabilize U.S. democracy. The FBI raided the Uhuru House, and the Movement anticipated further indictments for acting on behalf of the Russian government, including influencing local elections and spreading pro-Russian propaganda.
