20775: Simidor: Panel discussion on Haiti this Friday in NYC (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Daniel Simidor <karioka9@mail.arczip.com>

Panel Discussion

U.S. INTERVENTION AND THE FIGHT FOR RADICAL CHANGE IN HAITI.

The criminal U.S.-led military intervention in Haiti is a continuation of 200 years of neo-colonialism. This is the third U.S. occupation. The other two, no less criminal, were under Democratic Party presidents. Despite Washington’s support to every dictator in Haitian history the U.S. intervened each time in the name of “democracy.”

On February 29th, armed Haitian gangs led by U.S. trained Haitian army and CIA-linked paramilitary thugs deposed the government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The U.S. waited until the armed groups surrounded the capital and gave Aristide an offer they thought he could not refuse. As Aristide left Haiti aboard a U.S. Air Force plane the insurgents entered the capital of Port au Prince unopposed.

With racist arrogance President Bush has refused to recognize the political asylum rights of Haitians fleeing violence. The U.S. Coast Guard has seized over 1,000 refugees and returned them to Haiti in violation of U.S. law and the UN Protocol on Refugees. In stark contrast, Cuban exiles routinely get asylum in the U.S.

Please join us as our panel discusses these issues and many others, including:

·   The role of the U.S. controlled World Bank. Plus, a report on sweatshop organizing.
·   The Democratic and Republican parties’ support for military occupation.
·   The reactionary role of the United Nations.
·   How did 300-armed thugs topple the Aristide regime?
·   How true were allegations of government corruption, street gang justice and a lack of democracy?
·   Prospects for a genuine working class and peasant movement in Haiti.

SPEAKERS:

Christian LEMOINE, long-time Haiti labor solidarity activist and supporter of Batay Ouvriye (Worker’s Struggle) in Haiti. Lemoines will report on sweatshop organizing.

Daniel SIMIDOR, a well known NYC Haitian political activist, radio commentator and an outspoken Leftist critic of the Aristide regime.

Marty GOODMAN, an official election observer in Haiti during the 1991 election of President Aristide.

WHEN: Friday, March 26, at 7pm

WHERE: PS 41 Elementary School
116 W. 11th St (6th Ave and 11th Street in Greenwich Village), NYC

TRAVEL: Take the A,C,E,F, V to West 4th St. Or the #2 or #3 to 14th St.

ADMISSION: FREE

MORE INFO: 212-781-5157

SPONSOR: THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE IN SOLIDARITY WITH HAITI