25th anniversary of the US-backed military coup that overthrew the Lavalas government of President Aristide on Sept. 30, 1991
In response to the Jan. 2016 Call for Solidarity from Haiti’s Popular Movement (“We will not obey”), friends of Haiti are organizing Sept. 30th public events in many cities. For example, in Oakland we’re having a street demonstration with music/drums on Fri. 9/30, 4:30 PM at 14th & Broadway, and a public event on Sun. 10/2, 3:00 PM at Eastside Arts, 2277 Internat’l Blvd, with the theme: “US Hands Off Haiti!” Other cities are taking up the call.
Join us in raising these just demands of the Haitian people:
1) Free and fair elections! [Scheduled for October 9, 2016.]
2) No US, UN or OAS interference in the elections! [They were involved in the fraud last time!] Respect Haiti’s sovereignty!
3) Stop the terror campaign against the poor majority and the Lavalas popular movement! End the brutal US/UN foreign military occupation!
4) Rebuilding Haiti the way the Haitian 99% want it built – Paying a living wage in the factories instead of sweatshop wages … Restoring farming self-sufficiency so Haiti can feed itself again … Real Haitian control of mineral resources and aid funds … Jobs, schools, housing, clean water and health care for the people! … In short, the program of Aristide’s Lavalas movement and its Presidential candidate, Dr. Maryse Narcisse.
The irresistible momentum of Haiti’s non-stop mass movement – with tens of thousands in the streets almost daily for many months – has forced annulment of the fraudulent 2015 elections. The new election date is October 9, 2016. But the U.S. Embassy and its allies are still scheming to block Haiti’s most popular political party, Fanmi Lavalas, and thwart the popular will in this election.
That’s why it’s so important for friends of Haiti to do what you’ve done six times before on these “International Days” – organize public events in support of the fighting people of Haiti – on or about Friday, Sept. 30. In the spirit of “Think globally, act locally,” these actions – from street demonstrations to public or house meetings, musical events, vigils and film showings – are all locally organized. So it’s up to you to make this happen in your town. [For assistance, speakers, films, materials, 510 847 8657haitiaction@sonic.net]
In 2015, after being excluded for 11 years since a second US-sponsored coup in 2004, the Lavalas party was finally able to run candidates again, headed by Maryse Narcisse for President. Ever since, people in poor areas all over Haiti have come out enthusiastically to welcome Dr. Narcisse (and Aristide) and support her grassroots campaign. Just like they marched to stop the brazen attempt to steal the election and impose a US-favored candidate.
Over 200 years ago, Haitians rose up and overthrew both slavery and colonial rule. Now, when the enemies of freedom and sovereignty are attempting to re-colonize and re-enslave Haiti, we need to act in solidarity with our Haitian comrades, in the spirit of their resistance. Join us!
Resources (click on the links):
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Video: Aristide and Maryse Narcisse campaigning, surrounded by marching crowds (Aug. 29, 2016)
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Call for Solidarity from 68 Haitian grassroots organizations [“We will not obey” – Jan. 2016]
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S.F. Labor Council Resolution in solidarity with Haiti
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Haiti Action Committee (Aug. 2016 Newsletter)
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This is a critical time for Haiti. Let us know what events you are planning for Sept. 30, so we can publicize them and build momentum for the 7th International Day in Solidarity with Haiti. Contact us at haitiaction@sonic.net or 510 847 8657. Haiti Action on Facebook @HaitiAction1
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Previous International Days in Solidarity with Haiti, 2005-2015 – Actions in 107 cities in 29 countries on 5 continents
#1 – Sept. 30, 2005 demonstrations shined a light on massacres by Brazilian-led United Nations troops in Cite Soleil, Bel Air and other strongholds of the Lavalas popular movement … #2 – Feb. 7, 2007, commemorating the date in 1986 when dictator “Baby Doc” Duvalier was forced to leave the country by the tremendous mass movement of Haiti’s poor majority – called Lavalas (flash flood) and led by a parish priest, Jean-Bertrand Aristide … #3 – Feb. 29, 2008, commemorating the date in 2004 when US, French and Canadian military invaded Haiti, kidnapping President Aristide from his home after midnight and flying him to exile in Africa on a US military plane … #4 – Jan. 2010 – Haiti emergency earthquake solidarity week….#5 – Feb. 28, 2014 … #6 – Dec. 16, 2015, commemorating the date of Haiti’s first free election in 1990, when Father Aristide swept into the Presidency with 2/3 of the vote, on a platform of social & economic justice for the poor majority – only to be overthrown 7 months later in a US-backed military coupon 9/30/1991.