Black political power under attack: Jackson, Miss., Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba indicted

 by Lumumba Defense Fund, Detroit

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba of Jackson, Mississippi, was indicted on false, politically motivated charges of bribery. The federal indictment of Mayor Lumumba is a part of a nationwide attempt by federal prosecutors to stifle Black political power and undermine Black Leadership that is working in the interest of Black communities. Detroit supporters have banded together to raise needed funds towards Mayor Lumumba’s defense and to support our native son and oppose this atrocity of injustice.

Support Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba of Jackson, Mississippi, was indicted on false, politically motivated charges of bribery on Nov. 7, 2024. The federal indictment of Mayor Lumumba is part of a nationwide attempt by federal prosecutors to stifle Black political power and undermine Black leadership that is working in the interest of Black communities. 

The indictment serves to bolster state government efforts to undermine Mayor Lumumba’s exercise of his mayoral duties. It is a stunning waste of taxpayer dollars, and comes after nearly a decade-long effort by the Mississippi state government to undermine the progressive leadership of Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and the former Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, his deceased revolutionary father.

Mounting the criminal defense of Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is a financially costly endeavor. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! 

We cannot allow the federal government and the MAGA Mississippi state government to destroy the progressive, people-oriented work led by Mayor Lumumba. Under his leadership:

● The city implemented more infrastructure improvements than any administration in more than three decades;

● The school district was saved from a state takeover;

● A $90 million settlement was obtained for the city with Siemens to recoup losses related to incorrect billing of residents, metering and water infrastructure issues;

● A “Dignity Economy” was established with community partners and businesses, ending city employee furloughs, establishing full healthcare coverage for city employees, including firefighters for the first time in the City’s history, and a commitment to building an economy with higher wages, respect for human rights and one where no person or community is treated as disposable has been emphasized;

● $800 million in federal funding was secured, working with partners, to repair and modernize Jackson’s infrastructure; and

● Oversight of the police was strengthened, including establishing Mississippi’s first policy to release the names of officers involved in shootings.

The financial cost of defending Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba against these false charges

In discussions with defense teams for other people and community focused political leaders who had to defend against false criminal charges, we have arrived at a potential cost of $750,000 to provide the high quality legal defense necessary to maximize the chances of obtaining an acquittal.

As we enter this challenging new year, we ask you to consider contributing to the legal defense of Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba. We urge you to contribute to join those saying no to the government’s use of the criminal legal system to undermine Black leaders who stand with and for their communities. 

We urge you to contribute to defeating the continuing efforts to deny justice and self-determination to the residents of Jackson, Mississippi, a city with an 86% Black population.

If you are able, please donate to the Lumumba Defense Fund. Every contribution, no matter the amount, will make a meaningful difference.

How to donate to the Lumumba Defense Committee

Donate by mail: Make checks payable to fiscal sponsor Community Aid Development – memo line: Lumumba Defense Fund, Detroit – and mail to P.O. Box 361270, Decatur GA 30036-1270. 

Donate online: https://buy.stripe.com/7sI8wG9CC1M0eoUbJk. 

For more information, call 313-244-9909 or 770-987-9390, or email info@cadnational.org. 

Thank you for your generosity and support. Your donation will help defeat the false charges against Mayor Lumumba and enable him to continue his important work in the community.

The post Black political power under attack: Jackson, Miss., Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba indicted appeared first on San Francisco Bay View.

Source: https://sfbayview.com/2025/02/black-political-power-under-attack-jackson-miss-mayor-chokwe-antar-lumumba-indicted/