African People's Socialist Party | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chairman | Omali Yeshitela |
| Founded | May 1972 |
The African People's Socialist Party (APSP) is a socialist and pan-Africanist political party in the United States. It seeks to create a united socialist state for all of Africa.[1]
History
The African People's Socialist Party was founded in May 1972 by Omali Yeshitela. It formed from a merger of three organizations: the Junta of Militant Organizations, the Black Rights Fighters from Fort Myers, and the Black Study Group from Gainsville. In 1976, the APSP formed the African People's Solidarity Committee and allowed white proletarians to join the party. By 1979, the APSP had spread to 15 states and 26 cities.
In 1981, the APSP moved its headquarters to Oakland, California, which was also the headquarters of the Black Panthers. In 1982, the party held its first congress and a tribunal for reparations to New Afrikans.[2]
Structure
National level
The APSP holds a National Party Congress every five years and the congress elects the National Central Committee (NCC). The National Central Committee meets four times a year and can call additional meetings with a one-third vote.The NCC includes a chairperson, and 13 other officers. All officers are elected except the National Director of Security, who is appointed by the Chairperson.
The Political Bureau consists of six members who are also part of the NCC: the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary General, and National Directors of Agitation and Propaganda, Organization, and Recruitment and Membership. The Political Bureau meets at least eight times a year.[1]
Repression
In January 1973, a Central Committee member was assassinated by a car crash. Chairman Yeshitela was arrested in May 1973 and imprisoned for two months.[2]