Support the In the Spirit of Mandela Tribunal!

Sincere Greetings of Peace!

The “In the Spirit of Mandela Coalition*” invites your participation and endorsement of a planned October 2021 International Tribunal, which will be charging the US government with human rights violations against Black, Brown, and Indigenous people.

The Tribunal charges, to come in the form of a criminal indictment based on international law, will cite violations based on:

• Racist police killings of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people,
• Hyper incarcerations of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people (including Constitutionally affirmed “legal slavery” enshrined in the 13th Amendment),
• Political incarceration of Civil Rights/ National Liberation era revolutionaries and activists, as well as present day activists,
• Environmental racism and its impact on Black, Brown, and Indigenous people,
• Public Health racism and disparities and its traumatic impact on Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, and
• Genocide of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people because of the historic and systemic charges of all the above.

The legal aspects of the Tribunal will be led by Attorney Nkechi Taifa along with a skilled team of seasoned attorneys from all the above fields. A panel of jurists of both international and national stature will preside over three days of testimonies. Testimonies will be elicited from impacted victims, expert witnesses, and attorneys with firsthand knowledge of specific incidences raised in the charges/indictment.

The 2021 International Tribunal builds upon the shoulders and wonderful work of past Tribunals, including the 1990 “Special International Tribunal on the Violation of Human Rights of Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War in United States Prisons and Jails.” Similarly, it is not only an educational political event, but also a people’s judicial proceeding which will establish a strong foundation to launch international solidarity campaigns, civil and legal proceedings in US Federal and State Courts, and potential Congressional legislation.

The international community, including the United Nations, has been historically ineffective and non-responsive to the issues of oppression, racism, and exploitation of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people in the United States. In the context of the 1951 “We Charge Genocide” documentation, and the Organization of Afro-American Unity’s attempts to bring these issues before the world arena, and subsequent efforts, the 2021 International Tribunal plans to go beyond basic presentation of the findings and verdict to the UN. Though these results will be presented to the UN at the close of the Tribunal on October 25th, the coalition has a unique set of outcomes which provide an opportunity for organizing on a mass level across many social justice arenas. “We are our own liberators!” This empowering statement by Jalil Muntaqim, recently released Black Panther Political Prisoner, co-founder of the National Jericho Movement, and

Tribunal organizer, clarifies in a word what we the people must do. The Spirit of Mandela coalition strongly agrees with this sentiment and plans to build the Tribunal as a powerful and effective organizing tool to mobilize people from all walks of life. The charges are expansive yet focused enough to embrace and address much of the oppression experienced by Black, Brown, Indigenous, poor, and working-class people throughout history to today. The 2021 International Tribunal not only vets the facts and proclaims a demand for justice; it is also a plan of action!

Immediately after the Tribunal event, we plan to hit the ground running. There is a progressive people’s plan of action moving forward. Upon the completion of the proceedings and announcement of the verdict, we will:

• Codify and publish the content and results of the Tribunal to be offered in High Schools and University curriculums,
• Provide organized, accurate information for reparation initiatives and community and human rights work,
• Strengthen the demand to free all Political Prisoners and establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission mechanism to lead to their freedom,
• Provide the foundation for civil action in federal and state courts across the United States,
• Present a stronger case, building upon previous and respected human rights initiatives, on the international stage,
• Establish a healthy and viable massive national/international network of community organizations, activists, clergy, academics, and lawyers concerned with challenging human rights abuses on all levels and enhancing the quality of life for all people, and
• Establish the foundation to build a “Peoples’ Senate” representative of all 50 states, Indigenous Nations, and major religions.

Basic endorsements begin at $25. Your endorsement (individual and organizational) will add to the volume of thousands of supporters and allow for your input—vital to ensuring the success of these outcomes and to the Tribunal event itself. Monies will be transparently used to immediately move forward with the Tribunal outcomes.

We encourage you to add your name and organization to attend the monthly Tribunal updates and to sign on to one of the Tribunal Committees. (3rd Saturday of each month from 12PM noon to 2PM EST). Submit your name by emailing: [email redacted]

Please endorse now: http://spiritofmandela.org/endorse/

In solidarity,

Dr. A’isha Mohammad

Jihad Abdulmumit

Matt Meyer

Sekou Odinga

Eileen Weitzman Esq.

Felisa Emok Concepcion

Jalil Muntaqim

-Coordinating Committee

*Created in 2018, In the Spirit of Mandela Coalition is a growing grouping of organizers, academics, clergy, attorneys, and organizations committed to working together against the systemic, historic, and ongoing human rights violations and abuses committed by the USA against Black, Brown, and Indigenous People. The Coalition recognizes and affirms the rich history of diverse and militant freedom fighters Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, Graca Machel Mandela, Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker, and many more. It is in their Spirit and affirming their legacy that we work.