Four Black activists advocating for Black rights were found guilty in a Florida federal court of conspiring to act as unregistered agents for Russia. The activists are affiliated with the African People’s Socialist Party and Uhuru Movement based in St. Petersburg, Florida, and St. Louis. Those convicted include Omali Yeshitela, Penny Hess, Jesse Nevel, and Augustus C. Romain Jr.

Yeshitela, the 82-year-old chairman of the organization focusing on Black empowerment and reparations for slavery, along with Hess and Nevel, were charged with acting as agents of a foreign government, but were found not guilty. Romain Jr., who had left Uhuru in 2018, went on to establish his own group in Atlanta.

The trial, initially planned for a month, concluded after a week of testimony. Prosecutors alleged that the activists collaborated with the Russian government to sow political discord and interfere in U.S. elections. However, defense attorneys argued that the activists were unaware of the Russian government’s involvement and that the government’s case posed a threat to the First Amendment rights.

The activists’ defense argued that their actions aligned with the principles of the African People’s Socialist Party and Uhuru Movement, emphasizing their advocacy for Black empowerment and opposition to colonialism. The activists were accused of organizing protests in 2016 asserting that Black people in the U.S. were victims of genocide and engaging in activities benefiting Russia, including opposition to U.S. policies in the Ukraine war.

Although the case raised concerns similar to Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election, U.S. District Judge William Jung clarified that these issues were not part of this specific case. The activists have been active for over 50 years, with Yeshitela founding the organization in 1972 to fight against remnants of colonialism globally. No sentencing date has been scheduled for the convicted activists.