Revolutionary journalist/death penalty abolitionist/and supporter of political prisoners, Kiilu Nyasha, who joined the Black Panther Party in 1969, shared a powerful moment w/President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti who had come to the Bay Area in 1996. While here he spoke at UC Berkeley and at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. The late, legendary 20 year Berkeley City Councilwoman Maudelle Shirek, (6/18/1912 – 4/11/2013) looks on. Known widely as the “heart and soul of the progressive movement” and the “godmother of progressive politics” the veteran councilwoman always stood up for the poor, loved Haiti, and was a fierce advocate for healthy living and nutrition.
It is with great sadness that Haiti Action Committee learned of the passing of our beloved sister and revolutionary warrior, Kiilu Nyasha who joined the ancestors peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of April 10.Kiilu loved Haiti, and the Haitian grassroots movement inspired her and guided her work, just as her solidarity, her intellect, her passion and her rock solid integrity continue to inspire and guide us. We invite you to join us globally as we dedicate this event, “Poetry for Peace and Justice” to the indomitable fighting spirit of Kiilu Nyasha and to the indomitable people of Haiti.
We who love Haiti cordially invite everyone to come to the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund’s dynamic beginning of the new year Poetry for Peace and Justice event! It will be held on Saturday April 14, 2018, at St John’s Presbyterian Church; 2727 College Ave, Berkeley,CA; between 3-5:00 pm!
And if you can’t be there in person, you can still make a tax-deductible donation. Please click here to do so or send a check to our fiscal sponsor: East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, 2362 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA, 94704 Thank you!
SO SAVE THIS DATE!
We have an outstanding line up of internationally acclaimed poets:
Poet/Playwright/Multi-Percussionist/Photographer/Teacher AVOTCJA, Professor Emeritus of Creative Writing and Literature (retired) and Poet Laureate of the City of Berkeley Rafael Jesús González; and full time 30 year peace activist, mathematician, and formidable poet Carolyn Scarr, followed by Open Mic!
Haiti Emergency Relief Fund gives concrete aid to Haiti’s democratic movement and grassroots community groups organizing to meet Haitians’ needs directly.
Poetry for Peace and Justice: a benefit for the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund is being Co-sponsored by the Haiti Action Committee, Ecumenical Peace Institute & the Mission & Justice Commission of St. John’s Presbyterian Church
It is wheelchair accessible, the suggested donation is $10 – $30, however no one will be turned away for lack of funds. This is a not-to-be-missed-event!
Directions:
St John’s Presbyterian is at 2727 College Ave. between Garber St. and Forest Ave., three blocks north of Ashby. The wheelchair ramp is on Garber. There is underground parking with an accessible elevator at the Garber Street entrance.
The AC Transit #51B bus runs on College between Rockridge BART and downtown Berkeley.
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Haiti Action Committee • PO Box 2040, Berkeley, CA 94702 • For more information, call: 510-483-7481
Rep. Waters’ Statement on the Termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, released the following statement in response to the decision announced by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haiti effective July 22, 2019, following an 18-month delay:
“As a long-time friend of Haiti, I am deeply dismayed by the decision of Elaine Duke, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti, effective July 22, 2019. This senseless and heartless decision creates fear and uncertainty for 50,000 Haitians who have been living and working lawfully in the United States for many years.
“Having visited Haiti numerous times during my tenure in Congress, I can say from personal experience that Haiti is in no position to accept the return of 50,000 people over the next 18 months. Haiti is still struggling to recover from the devastating 2010 earthquake, which killed more than 300,000 people and displaced more than one million people from their homes. Haiti’s recovery has been hampered by a continuing cholera epidemic and several severe storms, including Hurricane Matthew in October of 2016 and Hurricanes Irma and Maria this year.
“While Secretary Duke stated in her announcement that the number of displaced people in Haiti has decreased by 97 percent since the earthquake, this by no means justifies forcing 50,000 people to return to Haiti, where there is still a severe shortage of housing and widespread unemployment.
“Haitian TPS beneficiaries directly contribute to the American economy. They work, pay taxes, spend money, and contribute to the Social Security and Medicare systems. About 30 percent are homeowners, stimulating the real estate industry and paying local property taxes. One in nine in the labor force is self-employed, and many of them have created jobs for others in their communities. Indeed, a recent report found that the termination of Haitian TPS would cost the United States $2.8 billion over a decade in lost gross domestic product.
“Haitian TPS beneficiaries have been fully integrated into their communities. Many of them have children who are U.S. citizens. They deserve to be treated with compassion and respect. I will continue working tirelessly to protect all of the law-abiding Haitians who live and work in American communities.”
Supporters of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide Photo courtesy of HaitiInfoProj
See also:Video footage of Aristide supporters just prior to assassination attempt. Video courtesy of Wendy Joseph Lerisse
Yesterday, there was an assassination attempt against former president Jean-BertrandAristide, Haiti’s first democratically elected president.President Aristide had been summoned to appear as a witness in a court case. While returning from court, his motorcade was attacked by armed Haitian police. A number of people were injured in the attack. Mass protests against the police broke out immediately.
In the wake of the electoral coup which installed Jovenal Moise, a right-wing protege of former president Michel Martelly, as Haiti’s new president, there has been a marked increase in repression directed against grassroots activists.
This attack on President Aristide signals a new stage of terror in Haiti. It harkens back to the days of the Duvalier dictatorships. Human rights activists and all supporters of democracy in Haiti need to condemn this attempted assassination and demand that those who committed this act be brought to justice.
Former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide greets thousands of supporters in Port-au-Prince 3-20-17 Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Oct. 12 is the birthday of one of the most talented and promising young men martyred in the massive state repression against the Black Panther Party for Self Defense, Alprentice “Bunchy” Carter. Unlike Huey P. Newton, Bobby Seale, Eldridge Cleaver and George Jackson, Carter has almost been forgotten from the history of Africans in America except for diehards. Carter, then 26 (born Oct. 12, 1942), was assassinated on Jan. 17, 1969 in a Campbell Hall classroom at UCLA in Los Angeles.
US invaded and occupied Haiti 101 years ago today, and remained there for nineteen years. Accomplishments of the occupation include raiding the Haitian National Bank, re-instituting forced labor, e…
Although the #BlackLivesMatter movement began following the 2012 death of TrayvonMartin and spread with the 2014 death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, the struggle against police brutality is a global one. And while the Black-led, multiracial protests have been gaining momentum in the U.S., so, too, has worldwide activism surrounding the violence committed against […]
The violent events of the past week have placed the country at a decisive moment. Words matter but deeds matter more. Leadership matters. President Obama spoke about the need for real change and new “practices” following the murders by police officers of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. Following this story is a Black Lives Matter statement on the murder of police and escalating protests to end state-sponsored violence against Black people.
This is a very important speech. Please read the background information below because the speech is not in English and the information shows some of the depths that the U.S. government will go to in order to demonize Haiti. — Malaika H Kambon
Uploaded on Jan 30, 2011
Also watch Kevin Pina’s latest documentary “Haiti: We Must Kill the Bandits”: http://bit.ly/eWFDLd
Few Haitians, scholars and historians have had the opportunity to hear and study the full speech of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on September 27, 1991. The speech was mired in controversy after Raymond Joseph, current Haitian ambassador to Washington D.C. but then Publisher of the right-wing newspaper Haiti Observateur, released a slanted translation. The translation was circulated by Ellen Cosgrove, the political officer of the U.S. Embassy in 1991, to the international press as proof that Aristide supported “pe lebrun” or necklacing with burning tires doused with gasoline. Other translators and scholars have criticized Joseph and the U.S. for that slant countering that Aristide’s reference to “tool” and “smell” were colorful Kreyol metaphors describing Haiti’s constitution. They say this only becomes clear when heard in the context of the entire speech.
The political context of the speech is equally important as it follows an attempt by the Duavlierists and Roger Lafontant to overthrow Aristide’s government in a coup only three months earlier. Aristide was caught between plots by Duvalierists aligned with Haiti’s wealthy elite and the violent reaction and impulses of the Haitian masses to decades of brutal repression known as dechoukaj.
The military coup that overthrew Aristide began on September 29, 1991, two days after he delivered this speech. The Joseph translation of the speech was handed out by Ellen Cosgrove to the press on October 7, 1991 during a visit by the Organization of American States (OAS) to Haiti.
This speech would be referred to many times, including in the present context, to justify keeping Aristide out of politics and the violent repression of Haiti’s poor masses represented by the Lavalas movement.
Kevin Pina and the Haiti Information Project (HIP) now offer for history the complete unedited speech in Kreyol as it was videotaped that day in Sept. 1991.
Renowned researcher and educator Dr. Joy DeGruy speaks to a crowd of academics in this classic 2008 clip from a London lecture about post traumatic slave syndrome. In the video clip, DeGruy starts with two quotes from Thomas Jefferson. The first is a warning to white America about the dangers of slavery and backlash […]
From a news item published in this newspaper last week we learned that another attempt is underway in the United States Congress to have Jamaica’s first National Hero Marcus Garvey pardoned of federal mail theft.
The move is being led by Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (of Jamaican origin) and Congressmen Charlie Rangel and John Conyers. Rangel is no stranger to Jamaica and, indeed, has been guest speaker at several public functions on the island, including the St Ann Homecoming and Heritage Foundation, an advocate for Garvey’s exoneration…..
Eugene Monroe said Thursday that he won’t let his release by the Ravens keep him from campaigning to get medical marijuana approved for use by NFL players.
SUPPORT FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN HAITI
STOP THE ATTACKS ON FANMI LAVALAS
On June 7th, the office of Dr. Maryse Narcisse, the presidential candidate of Fanmi Lavalas, the party of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide who publicly endorsed her, was sprayed with gunfire. This blatant violence against the movement that has long represented Haiti’s poor majority sparked outrage in Haiti but was met by silence in the mainstream media in the U.S. The State Department, which routinely portrays itself as a defender of democracy around the world, including in Haiti, had nothing to say about the attack.
This is no surprise. The U.S., which orchestrated the 2004 coup against the democratically elected government of President Aristide, has been determined to prevent another Lavalas administration from governing in Haiti. Having put in power former president Michel Martelly, who was associated with the disgraced Duvalier regime, through fraudulent elections in 2011, the State Department has been intent on imposing his successor through the same means. In 2015, fraudulent elections placed a little known Martelly protégé in the lead position heading to a run-off. Despite independent investigations that revealed burning of ballots, theft of ballot boxes, “election observers” who voted over and over again, and widespread voter suppression, U.S. State Department Special Coordinator Kenneth Merten argued that Haitians should accept the 2015 results and move on to the next round.
But Haitians refused the dictates of the State Department with statements and banners declaring “We Will Not Obey”. Calling the results an “electoral coup”, tens of thousands of people took to the streets demanding free and fair elections, insisting that their voices be heard and respected. It was only due to these popular protests that the Martelly dictatorial regime was replaced by an interim government, a verification commission was set up to investigate the elections, the fraud was exposed, and the 2015 elections were annulled.
This is a remarkable victory for the grassroots movement in Haiti. But, as Haiti proceeds towards a new round of elections, the State Department and the European Union are challenging the decision to annul the 2015 elections. Both have threatened Haiti with economic consequences if the electoral process does not proceed to their satisfaction. And they are allowing anti-Lavalas armed vigilantes like Guy Philippe, wanted as a drug trafficker by the DEA, to maraud through Haiti.
As the new round of electoral campaigning begins, we view with alarm the attack on Dr. Maryse Narcisse and Fanmi Lavalas. We urge friends and supporters of Haiti to send a clear and strong message to both the State Department and your Congressional representatives.
* Condemn the armed attack on the offices of Dr. Maryse Narcisse and the continued attacks against the Lavalas movement.
* Denounce the continued interference and threats from the State Department and the European Union. They are attacks on Haitian sovereignty and self-determination.
* Support the right of the Haitian people to choose their own government through transparent, free and fair elections.
Family, beginning June 17 I will begin my Summer 2016 Facebook course. It is called Fundamentals of African History with Runoko Rashidi.
All are welcome. The classes, taught through text, photos and videos, begin at 9:00 pm United States Eastern Standard Time and last approximately 2.5 hours per class. The classes, of which there will be twelve, are interactive, meaning there is ample time for questions and answers and discussion. The course project, completely voluntary, is to compile a succinct timeline of the history of African rebellions and resistance movements, at home and abroad.
The complete cost of the course is only $50.00 per household. The total amount is used to help subsidize our ongoing efforts to rewrite and reconstruct the global history of African people. The course will be taught on a special Facebook page set up specifically for this purpose.
To pay your $50.00 tuition post via Paypal to Runoko@hotmail.com. You will be immediately notified upon receipt of payment and enrolled in the course.
No special equipment is required. You only need a Facebook account.
The contents of each class will remain posted throughout the duration of the course if you cannot participate live.
Here are the individual course sessions. I reserve the right of course to make revisions to the course.
Indigenous and Non-Indigenous: Who is the Original Man?
The Golden Age of the Olmec
The Moors in History
The Great Kings and Queens of Ancient Egypt
The Black Presence in Southeast Asia
African Revolts and Resistance
A Journey through the African Collections in the Louvre
A Journey through the African Collections in the British Museum
A Journey through the African Collections in the Museums of Germany
A Journey through the African Collections in the Museums of Italy
A story of four young boys from the projects. Most New Yorkers who ride the subway have opinions about them, but what lies beneath these young performers is more than what meets the eye.
Official Selection Tribeca Film Festival 2015 (Winner Special Jury Mention)
Official Selection Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival 2015
Official Selection Edmonton International Film Festival Festival 2015 (Winner First Place Best Short Doc)
Official Selection Traverse City Film Festival 2015
Official Selection Woodstock Film Festival 2015 (Nominated for Best Short Doc)
Official Selection Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival 2015
Official Selection Calgary International Film Festival 2015
Official Selection Regent Park Film Festival 2015
Official Selection Heart of Gold Film Festival 2015
Official Selection St. Louis International Film Festival
Official Selection Durango Film Festival 2015
Official Selection Rooftop Film Festival 2016
Official Selection Florida Film Festival 2016
Official Selection Annapolis Film Festival 2016 (Winner Audience Award)
Official Selection Short of the Week 2016
On the mat, Rafaela Silva won for her marginalized favela. In the streets, activists are winning the right to protest.
Walking in the tradition of Muhammad Ali means taking a side, not building a bridge or riding the fence.
Renowned researcher and educator Dr. Joy DeGruy speaks to a crowd of academics in this classic 2008 clip from a London lecture about post traumatic slave syndrome. In the video clip, DeGruy starts with two quotes from Thomas Jefferson. The first is a warning to white America about the dangers of slavery and backlash […]
SUPPORT FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN HAITI
Malaika H Kambon 
Haiti Action Committee Denounces the Attempted Assassination of Former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide
3-21-2017
See also: Video footage of Aristide supporters just prior to assassination attempt. Video courtesy of Wendy Joseph Lerisse
Yesterday, there was an assassination attempt against former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Haiti’s first democratically elected president. President Aristide had been summoned to appear as a witness in a court case. While returning from court, his motorcade was attacked by armed Haitian police. A number of people were injured in the attack. Mass protests against the police broke out immediately.
In the wake of the electoral coup which installed Jovenal Moise, a right-wing protege of former president Michel Martelly, as Haiti’s new president, there has been a marked increase in repression directed against grassroots activists.
This attack on President Aristide signals a new stage of terror in Haiti. It harkens back to the days of the Duvalier dictatorships. Human rights activists and all supporters of democracy in Haiti need to condemn this attempted assassination and demand that those who committed this act be brought to justice.
Haiti Action Committee
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March 21, 2017 | Categories: Adults, Africa, AFRIKAN, Afrikan History, Black Lives Matter, Black Media, Caribbean, Caribbean, Children, CIA, COINTELPRO, Commentary, Community outrage, Culture, Education, FANMI LAVALAS, Film, Haiti, Haiti: We Must Kill the Bandits, Haitian, Haitian, Human Rights, Independent Black Media, International Law, Law, Media, Militarized police, Military, Paramilitarism and the Assault on Democracy in Haiti, Police brutality, Police Brutality, predictive policing, predictive policing, Racism, Revolutionary Freedom, Serious2020, terrorism, Uncategorized, War against Afrikans, Weaponry | Tags: Assassination attempt, BIM, Duvalier, Duvalier dictatorships, electoral coup d'etat, Getty Images, Haiti, Haiti Action Committee, Haiti Information Project, Haitian National Police, Human rights, human rights activists, Jovenel Moise, mass protests, Michel Martelly, militarized police, Port au Prince, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, terrorism, trap, UN/U.S. controlled police, video, Wendy Joseph Lerisse | Leave a comment