21808: Erzilidanto: Another Personal Testimony -Bloodbath against Lavalas supervised by U.S. (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Erzilidanto@aol.com

Re: Campaign One - Stop U.S. military and brutal political repression of
unarmed Lavalas civilians and systematic de-mobilization of the mass electorate by
big U.S. and Haitian business and their Western military forces in Haiti.
Attach is one personal testimony of report of killings and current Haitian
situation - (for more personal testimonies, go to:
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/campaigns/testimonies/personaltestimonies.html )
From: Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network
Date: May 10, 2004
Action: Please circulate. Press your local and national media and newspapers
to report the wholesale slaughter in Haiti today of thousands of unarmed
Haitians while U.S. soldiers are on the ground and, even participating in these
crimes against humanity. This river of blood of mainly anyone accused of "voting
for Aristide" or being affiliated with someone who "voted or supported the
Constitutionally elected President of Haiti" cannot match the one or two killings
per week the New York Times, CNN and other mainstream media were so ready to
report and exaggerate when the purpose was to show up the democratically
elected Aristide/Neptune government's lost of control before the U.S.-orchestrated
Coup D'etat.
*****
Original article is at http://www.indybay.org/news/2004/05/1680297.php
News from Haiti
by Patrick Young Sunday, May. 09, 2004 at 5:32 PM

Letter from patrick young, cub reporter in Haiti

Introduction:
Patrick Young is from Fresno California. He is the coordinator of the
Wheelchair Project. Patrick has often traveled to Chiapas, El Salvador, Nicaragua,
and Haiti taking material aide on his buses. He returned to Haiti after the coup
and will be sending us regular reports about what he finds. This dispatch is
posted on Indymedia by his friend - Mike Rhodes
**************************************************

All I can tell you is that the reality here is so different, that it is
difficult to even say in a way that us americanos could even relate to. Every day
here in the semi safe house, same folks, friends whose entrance is always a
delight, a joyful , a reptition of the joy that family reunions have, but on a
daily basis. Great open smiles on black faces that you cannot resist, as their
heart is in their eyes. but how do you describe the rest?

I could care less about no running water,no hot water (it is already HOT
here) and the lack of electricity is solved by the generator, long in the tooth
but loyal. the things that are beyond me/my limited life experiences,is seeing
someone, a new young man or woman, who hangs out all day at our
home/office/insane asylum of solidarity, and then maybe late in the afternoon it is mentioned
that he or she is here, politely waiting all day, because yesterday, or last
week, or the day before yesterday, they killed someone in front of them, maybe
family, maybe not, and we are here to take testimony. they have to wait in
line,as we stay up after midnite,every night,drinking too much (Haitian beer,
one brand only, mas o menos, is greaT) and smoking too much, and work the
laptops with a flashlight (mY DYNAMITE 18v cRAFTSMAN DRILL/flashlight BATTERY, THAT
lights up a romm for 4 solid hours) or a candle to get the message out.'

I use the word "we" too generously, as it is my friend Kevin who does this
like a sunken eyed tired sailor, sharp in his comments, at times harshly direct,
because he doesn't have time to live normally, or to wate.. This with a new
baby {paulo, our mutual delight)who is sick, and SCREAMS and makes us worry.

Today there was a young quiet black man, thin as a rail and strong (when you
hug folks here, there's a bunch of sinews,not beer bellies.....except mine)
who sat silent all day. I smiled politely in passing, but no real communication
(as my Creole is limited anyway)
About 2 o'clock he just passed out, boom, and I was NEXT TO HIM. I FIGURED IT
WAS DIABETES OR DEHYDRATION, BUT AS I HELD HIS HEAD AND PRAYED FOR A PULSE,
AND as everyone FRANTICALLY GUESSED WHAT TO DO..................(sorry for the
cap letters)

You see, the Suzuki we use must be push started (well actually I fixed it two
days ago, but automotive reliability is non existent) and we are all
wondering if we threw his limp body in the Suzuki Samurai,how fast could we get to the
hospital with the interminable traffic,and then,who could pay, but the
worst,......??????????

well, He had seen three of his friends killed yesterday, in front of him,
brutally, (what will he do with this memory?) so you don't take someone who was
lucky enough to escape to the the hospital, because they will be looking for
him. So what do we do, my friends??
(This is "Reality TV" at its finset)

Two days ago we went to the hospital to visit a man who had a bone infection
that was spreading. Besides the primitive conditions of the typical 3rd World
hospital, he was in danger from more than the infection. there was d
demonstration (many...?)m after the coup d'etat, and the way it was dealt with was to
shoot into the cowd, a time honored Haitian/Salvadorean/Etc. tradition. He tore
his shin up falling into one of the perpetually potholed semi streets rocks
and sand that pass for real Haitian streets.
he is lucky however, as his injury is at least not easily traceable.

However, when we went to visit him, I coudn't take any photos or video, as 3
white people with video cams in a hospital room with 8 beds just might draw
attention to him,and the many desperate people who will be snitches to survive
just might talk to the wrong people. We gave him some money that he tucked into
his pillow case,and we left.
Forward this to whoever you please. I find life here real, I find the people
wonderfully friendly and ready to smile, and talk to this "blanc" at the drop
of a hat, and teach me,laugh with me, in the dirtiest and worst conditions I
have seen in 35 plus countries. I actually like it, after you buy a fried
somethng or other or two, you're family.
I don't find life in the states as real, as........vital, as...... here we
are alive,and we know it.

Patrick
www.fresnoalliance.com/wheelchairproject/

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"Men anpil chaj pa lou"  is Kreyol for - "Many hands make light a heavy load."

See, The Haitian Leadership Networks'  7 "men anpil chaj pa

lou" campaigns to help restore Haiti's independence, the will of the mass
electorate and the rule of law. See,
http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/haitianlawyers.html ; http://www.margueritelaurent.com/pressclips/concerns.html

and Haitiaction.net

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