Solidarity with Haitian people

A Haitian organization supporting victims of the repression in Haiti has issued a call for renewed protests in many cities of the world on Sept. 30, the anniversary of the first U.S.-sponsored coup that ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 1991.

The call, issued by the September 30 Foundation (Fondasyon Trant Septanm, in Creole), is being supported by Haitians and other sympathizers in the United States.

The current regime in Haiti was installed by a U.S.-backed coup on Feb. 29, 2004, and has been supported by the U.S., France and Canada, with United Nations approval. It has continued its assault on the poor majority of Haitians, targeting leaders and supporters of Aristide.

According to the call, the action taken could be a “march, rally, public meeting, vigil, house meeting or civil disobedience —whatever you are able to do”—in support of the following demands:

* Stop the serial killings and massacres of the poor, in one popular neighborhood after another, by UN troops, Haitian National Police and paramilitary mercenaries under police control.

* Restore the democratically-elected government of President Aristide.

* Free Father Jean-Juste, So’ Anne, Prime Minister Yvon Neptune—and ALL the political prisoners.

* End the brutal U.S./UN occupation; restore Haiti’s sovereignty; respect the will of the Haitian people.

Contact the Sept. 30th Organizing Committee at (510) 847-8657 or [email protected] for more details.

—John Catalinotto