We Will Not Be Silenced: Defending Dissent and Building Resistance to Political Repression

The Ida B. Wells Media Defense Network hosts a public forum bringing together historians, organizers, and activists to examine the growing scope of state surveillance, censorship, and official crackdowns. Featured speakers include Vijay Prashad, historian, journalist, and executive director of the Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research; Charisse Burden-Stelly, political economist and author of Black Scare/Red Scare: Theorizing Capitalist Racism in the United States; and Omali Yeshitela, chairman of the African People’s Socialist Party and one of the “Uhuru 3” defendants targeted by federal prosecution over political speech and assembly.

According to the organizers, the discussion responds to intensified legal and police crackdowns against political expression, immigrant rights, labor organizing, and Palestine solidarity work. Drawing inspiration from the investigative journalism and organizing of anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells, the panel analyzes the mechanisms of contemporary political repression and explores collective strategies to protect public dissent.

The event is hybrid, held in person at The People’s Forum and streamed online via Zoom. Admission is free and open to the public, though organizers ask attendees to reserve seats in advance due to venue capacity limits. Virtual attendees receive Zoom access instructions upon registering. Attendees who wish to support the network’s legal defense efforts may also select tiered solidarity donation tickets starting at seven dollars.

To reserve tickets or find more information, visit The People’s Forum event calendar or the Ida B. Wells Media Defense Network website.