Not In My Projects!

Uhuru Movement Leads Resistance to the Government’s Attack on the African Community

TAMPA, FL — Connie Burton, a member of the African People’s Socialist Party and the Uhuru Movement is leading a fierce struggle against the Tampa Housing Authority (THA) in Robles Park, which is seeking to get rid of the African community for white development options.

The federal government has a law for public housing residents called "One Strike." Essentially it says that if you or anyone you know gets accused — not convicted — of a crime in, on or even near your housing unit, the housing authority has the right to evict you in less than a week. This law has been used nationwide to quicken the rate in which Africans are made homeless so white developers can move in.

It was application of this "law" that led to Connie Burton receiving an eviction notice when her son got accused — not convicted, of a crime in 1999. As the president of the residents’ council, Sister Connie appealed the decision based upon its constitutionality.

When the case was brought before the court on appeal, the jury decided that yes, it is legal to kick someone out of their home, if they or someone they knew was simply accused of some sort of wrongdoing. This decision was met with delight at the Tampa Housing Authority.

It was under Connie’s leadership that the residents of Robles Park became armed with organization and prepared to fight the colonial treatment the people suffered day in and day out at the hands of the U.S. government. Her presidency saw tutoring programs evolve for the local youth that placed an important emphasis on self-determination. There were free food programs being held monthly, a newsletter designed to keep the community aware of its interests as a part of the African working class and frequently produced flyers designed to expose the Tampa Housing Authority.

However, the THA’s happiness at her eviction became bitterness when Connie’s appeal, based on the fact that at least one of the jurors was sleeping throughout the trial, was upheld. This was in October of 2002.

After that, the THA, so enraged at the court decision not to kick Connie out of her home, actually requested that the judge that issued that order be removed from the appellate court.

In December of ‘02, Sister Connie filed an emergency injunction because the THA was still trying to put her out of her office as president, and see to it that she was homeless on the streets. With the injunction approved, Connie remains a resident of the THA until the next trial.

However, the THA was not expecting to have Connie around as a presidential candidate for the resident council elections it had at the beginning of this year. As a resident she was perfectly within her rights to run. With that, the THA brought out the Hillsborough County Election Supervisor and the latest touchscreen voting machines to "ensure a fair election."

Again, to the anger of the THA, Connie, who represents the highest aspirations of the will of the people, won the election quite convincingly, securing 75 out of 84 total votes (89 percent). So, the THA moved to its next tactic by attempting to deny the presidency to Connie Burton based upon the "One Strike" eviction that was pending against her.

In actuality, this was just an attempt by the THA to block Connie’s role as president. However, in order to make it look fair, the Housing Authority said that it would not recognize any of the elected positions, overturned the results, and disbanded the entire residents’ council because nearly everyone had to be investigated.

One may have thought that it would be at least 2004 before we saw another stolen election, but African people are getting increasingly familiar with this whole concept.

The residents’ council is the official voice of the people and the attack on Connie and the council’s elected officials is an attempt to silence the masses of people. The council has since filed a class action lawsuit based on retaliation, but it will be the pressure from the people that will have to bring about any sense of justice.

"The housing authority is an arm of the State and is opposed to the community organizing in its own interests. Self-determination threatens that. All around the country, the government is tearing down projects. African people have a right to plan their own future. My position is to educate the people as to their ability to take power. I’m there to energize the people," said Sis. Connie.

"Tampa has a law called the ‘Precursor Act.’ With this, certain gestures and hand movements can get you arrested in 18 drug areas, all of which are in the African community. If you’re near a certain designated spot, a misdemeanor can be upgraded to a felony. It’s a police state supported and planned by a mayor that ran on an anti-drug/more police platform." This is Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio’s strategy for attacking the African community.

A person can barely sleep at times with the constant roaring of the "ghetto birds" — the police helicopters — circling the African community.

"There is extreme unemployment in our community, we need control of the money we’re supposed to have to create productive commerce and employment for our people.

"The city of Tampa is attempting to dismantle the African community’s political power base through gentrification. They try to ignore the African working class and they try just to talk to the petty bourgeoisie."

Neither the THA nor the city of Tampa can do that with the presence of Connie Burton and the Uhuru Movement on the scene. The voice of the African working class will be heard.

All over the U.S. Africans are being put out of their homes in situations similar to this one. From Newport News, Virginia to Chicago, Illinois it is the same. Our community and the aspirations of our people are under constant attack.

If it’s not having enough money to feed our families, a domestic military soldier (police officer) is murdering us in the streets. If it’s not that then one of our family members is being sent to jail for a quarter century at a time for trumped up drug charges when the police put the drugs in the community. If it’s not that then we’re being made homeless because of laws like "One Strike."

African people gave birth to the human species and to civilization. We must seize command of our own lives and be arrogant enough to refuse anything less than absolute independence and self-determination.

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Defend Connie Burton!
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