On Sept. 3, a trial of three members of the International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement, an arm of the African People’s Socialist Party, began in the Tampa Federal Court. The three, known as the Uhuru 3, have been accused of being agents of Russia for their activities in opposition to US policy on Ukraine. The charges appear to be based at least partially on alleged violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act although that act is not mentioned in the federal indictment. The act can be easily abused to violate citizens’ free speech rights and rights to advocate for changes to US foreign policy. The Uhuru 3 have denied working at the direction of a Russian or anyone else. The Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition, of which the Nicaragua Network/Alliance for Global Justice is an active member, released the statement below in August in support of the Uhuru 3.

A Statement by the Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition

The Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition opposes the US government prosecution of the Uhuru 3 as agents of Russia. We join with the many other organizations standing in defense of free speech rights and encourage others to also. Their trial will start in less than a month, on September 3 in Tampa federal court.

The defendants are three activists – Omali Yeshitela, Penny Hess and Jesse Nevel -associated with the African People’s Socialist Party (APSP), accused by the government of acting as Russian agents when they criticize US interference in Ukraine.

Their lawyer Leonard Goodman stated, “The group is nonviolent and seeks to spark change through political speech, activism and its community work. The APSP is based in St. Petersburg, Florida; St. Louis; and Oakland, California, where it operates farmers markets, recreation programs and small businesses that benefit local communities.” He adds, “The trouble began for the APSP in spring 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The APSP was one of the few prominent activist groups that publicly blamed the US government for provoking the invasion, thus contradicting the official position of the US that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was unprovoked.”

On July 29, 2022, FBI SWAT teams raided the homes and offices of APSP leaders in St. Petersburg and St. Louis. The following April, the government charged them with being agents of a foreign government, with spreading Russian propaganda to “sow discord,” and with illegally interfering in US elections. If convicted, the three defendants face up to 15 years in prison.

The government is prosecuting members of an activist group for their political speech and activism in opposition to US foreign policy. If convicted, this can be used against other organizations using their First Amendment rights to change some US foreign policy, such as the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Recently, August 7, the FBI raided the home of former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter, a critic of U.S. foreign policy toward Russia, under the same pretext, as an agent of Russia. On July 23 Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic Congressperson and Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, found she is on a domestic terrorism watch list. On July 24, 31 Congresspeople sent a letter to the Director of National Intelligence demanding the investigation and criminal prosecution of Gaza war protesters for receiving funding from Iran.

The government also seeks to set a legal precedent regarding “disinformation.” It argues that their definition of the term “does not refer to information that is necessarily false.” The indictment of Yeshitela claims he spread “disinformation” by stating the US and NATO provoked Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by expanding NATO “800 miles towards the border of Russia,” by sponsoring a 2014 coup against the government of Ukraine, and by arming Kiev “to the teeth.” The Uhuru 3 lawyers pointed out their clients’ views “are nearly identical to the views held by well-renowned public intellectuals such as Professors Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University and John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago.”

The Uhuru 3 case is a government attack on our constitutional free speech right to publicly question US government foreign policy. You can help defend all our free speech rights! Cover and publicize this precedent making case. Donate to aid with their defense. Attend and report on the trial beginning in Tampa September 3. See handsoffuhuru.org Solidarity!

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Briefs
By Nan McCurdy

“Sandino’s Army”: 45 years as Guardian of the Homeland
On September 2, Nicaragua’s Army celebrated its 45th anniversary of service to the people.  President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo presided over the main ceremony together with the head of the army, General Julio Cesar Avilés. The Nicaraguan Armed Forces are divided into Land, Air, Naval and Special Commands, and together they promote actions to maintain the country as the safest in the region. Among them, the development of the State Containment Wall Strategy stands out. It brings together the main forces of the military institution to prevent drug trafficking and organized crime. In addition, they carry out constant patrolling of the land border, coastlines, and air borders with the objective of containing, diverting, and capturing people attempting to enter Nicaraguan territory from the south to transfer drugs north. (La Primerisima, 2 September 2024)

President Ortega Expresses Solidarity with Honduras
At the central activity commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Nicaraguan Army, President Daniel Ortega expressed his solidarity with the people and government of Honduras which is facing attacks and threats from the US embassy in that country. “I want to tell the people of Honduras and President Xiomara Castro that we are with them, that we are in solidarity with the Honduran people, that we are in solidarity with the government of Xiomara,” said Ortega. He pointed out that it “is clear that the US wants to destroy that government, that they want to cover the Army of Honduras with mud.” He continued, “They want to blackmail and overthrow the government headed by President Xiomara Castro.” He recalled that the US supported a coup d’état against former president Manuel Zelaya who then spent a good deal of time in Nicaragua, strategizing about how to return to the presidency of Honduras. It was not possible because the coup perpetrators were not condemned, not by the United Nations, nor by the human rights organizations. “Now that this progressive party, which even joined ALBA, has regained the government, the US is trying to destroy the stability, progress and welfare that the government of President Xiomara Castro has brought to the people of Honduras,” he said. (La Primerisima, 2 September 2024)

Pasle Bridge in Matagalpa Inaugurated 
On August 28 the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) inaugurated the 36 meter-long Pasle Bridge located in the Las Calabazas district, seven kilometers from the urban area of Ciudad Darío which will benefit more than 54,000 people. The MTI has built 359 kilometers of roads in the Department of Matagalpa in the past 17 years. Head of MTI Oscar Mojica said that this includes 14 new roads totaling 359 kilometers just in Matagalpa. During the inauguration of the Pasle Bridge, Mojica pointed out that this marks a 312% growth in road infrastructure in relation to what was built before the return of the FSLN to government in 2007. Matagalpa now has 529 kilometers of first-class roads, capable of connecting its 10 municipalities with the rest of the country. Among these new roads are La Dalia-Rancho Grande-Waslala with 53 kilometers, Puertas Viejas-Esquipulas-Muy Muy with 63 kilometers, Muy Muy-Matiguás-Río Blanco with 62 kilometers of hydraulic concrete, Esquipulas-San Dionisio-Empalme de San Dionisio with 31 kilometers, the Boaco-Muy Muy-San Ramón road with 55 kilometers, Empalme Terrabona-Terrabona with 18 kilometers, Río Blanco-Bocana de Paiwas with 21 kilometers and others. The government has also built 74 bridges and overpasses in Matagalpa. Among these bridges are the 170-meter Paso Real, the 108-meter Bopal bridge, the Wana Wana bridge, a bridge over the Rio Blanco, the Mancera bridge and others. (La Primerisima, 29 August 2024)

Millions Invested in Drinking Water Since 2007
Some US$1.2 billion have been invested in water and sanitation projects, announced the executive president of ENACAL, Ervin Barreda. The population now has more access to drinking water in their homes, he said, adding that many of these projects are focused on increasing the hours of service of drinking water. Since 2007 drinking water coverage increased from 65% to 95% in the urban areas. The Nicaraguan Water Company (ENACAL) is currently developing more than 40 drinking water and sanitary and sewerage projects. (La Primerisima, 29 August 2024)

More Spending on Public and Social Investment in 2025
As it prepares the General Budget for 2025, the Ministry of Finance has announced that public spending will remain stable as a proportion of GDP with respect to the closing estimate for 2024. There will also be greater support for investment spending, in correspondence with the National Plan to Fight Poverty and for Human Development 2022-2026 and the Economic and Financial Program. Sustainable growth will continue: the plan is to continue guaranteeing the financing of investment programs and projects that contribute to consolidate sustainable economic growth and the generation of direct and indirect jobs, as well as the reduction of poverty, particularly extreme poverty, which supports stability and social cohesion. In this sense, the Ministry states, investment will be developed in strategic, productive and social sectors, such as transportation, water and sanitation, health, energy, education, low-income housing, sports infrastructure and municipal development. (Informe Pastran, 30 August 2024)

Education: A Priority in 2025
In the 2025 National Budget, access to free, comprehensive, inclusive and quality education will continue to be guaranteed as part of the restoration of rights to children, adolescents, youth and adult population, with the community playing a leading role. Educational coverage will continue to expand, incorporating more children into early education and closing the gaps in school enrollment rates, with the consolidation of flexible and relevant modalities, promoting technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. The school lunch will continue to be provided as well as solidarity school packages and even more support for the neediest children. The bonus prize for high school graduates and teachers will also continue as well as improvements in school infrastructure and the purchase and repair of desks. (Informe Pastran, 30 August 2024)

Some 8,000 Homes Built Each Year under the Sandinista Government
INVUR (Housing Institute) co-director Gabriela Palacios reiterated on Channel 13 Viva Nicaragua that, “As a result of Daniel assuming the presidency of our country, from 2007 to date we have managed to promote the construction of 140,708 houses, which means an average of 8,000 houses per year.” This achievement has been possible thanks to the guarantee of subsidies and financing for families. Palacios went on to say that, “This was not possible under the neoliberal governments, since there were no policies to encourage the construction of low-cost housing. Under those governments there was no management of financial resources to guarantee subsidized homes.” (Informe Pastran, 30 August 2024)

Some 2,000 Families in Extreme Poverty will Have Houses 
The Sandinista government has announced that, through INVUR, it will build, in the next months, 2,000 houses for families living in extreme poverty. This will complete the 9,000 houses handed over in the last three years to people living in extreme poverty. The housing program for families living in extreme poverty delivers houses at a cost of between US$8,500 and US$9,000. Thanks to a contribution from the municipalities, the beneficiaries pay nothing. Since 2007, the government has granted to new owners through various modalities, a total of 140,708 houses throughout the country. (La Primerisima, 3 September 2024)