29349: HAITI -- Haiti Support Project -- Pilgrimage to Citadel (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Max Blanchet <MaxBlanchet@worldnet.att.net>


Pilgrimage to Citadel
Ron Daniels, Haiti Support Project, 2006-10-17


October 10, 2006

Press Release

Pilgrimage to Citadel-Haiti Is Spectacular Success
Participants Return as Ambassadors of Hope for Haiti

For Immediate Release

New York  –  Just back from leading a  five-day pilgrimage to the Citadel in 
Haiti, October 5-9,  to launch the Model City Initiative in the town of Milot, 
Dr. Ron Daniels, president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and 
founder of the Haiti Support Project,  jubilantly declared the visit “a 
spectacular success.”  The pilgrimage marked the beginning of a concerted 
effort by HSP to transform the lovely town of Milot, which is strategically 
located at the foot of the Citadel, into a mecca for cultural-historical 
tourism and economic development for the area. The Citadel, which is considered 
the “eighth wonder of the world,” is the magnificent mountaintop fortress built 
by King Henri Christophe to defend the new Black Republic from further 
invasions by France and other outside powers after independence was declared in 
1804.

More than fifty heads of organizations, opinion leaders and socially-conscious 
individuals comprised the delegation for the pilgrimage including George Curry, 
executive director of the National Newspaper Publishers Association; Omarosa 
Stallworth, who achieved national acclaim as a contestant on Donald Trump’s 
popular television series The Apprentice; Joe Leonard, executive director of 
the Black Leadership Forum; Errol Maitland,  Community Affairs Department and 
producer of Wake-Up Call, WBAI/Pacifica broadcasting network; Joseph Beasley, 
southern regional coordinator of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH 
Coalition; Serge Parisien, National Organization for the Advancement of 
Haitians; Dr. Gilbert Parks, chairman emeritus, National Medical Association; 
and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, vice-chairperson of the Congressional 
Black Caucus, who served as co-leader of the delegation.

On October 5, after a well-attended press conference at Toussaint L’Ouverture 
International Airport convened by Jean V. Geneus, minister for Haitians living 
abroad, the delegation departed for Cap-Haitien for  a  reception hosted by 
Patrick Delatour, minister of tourism. On the second day, the delegation 
received a rousing welcome in Milot where hundreds of people including 
schoolchildren lined the streets to greet the group. A festive parade complete 
with marching bands proceeded to the gateway of the Sans Souci Palace where the 
participants were  officially welcomed by the mayor, the delegate to the 
National Chamber of Deputies from the region and the Local Development 
Committee of Milot.  After the welcome ceremony the delegation began its 
historic journey up the mountain to the Citadel for a tour of one of the most 
incredible monuments to human engineering and construction the world has ever 
seen. It was an awe-inspiring  journey.

The visit to Milot culminated  with the unveiling of the architectural 
renderings for a multi-purpose community-empowerment and visitors' center which 
will include a school for elementary children, vocational education program, 
computer center, credit union for  micro-lending, tourism and investment 
bureau, visitor-information center and administrative offices for the 
local-development committee and the Haiti Support Project. Dr. Daniels 
indicated that HSP is committed to raise $100,000 to build the center which 
will serve as a visible symbol and vital catalyst for social and economic 
development in Milot. HSP anticipates that the private sector and the 
government will also contribute funds to this project.  Before leaving Milot, 
the mayor, the delegate from the region,  and the Local Development Committee 
urged HSP to make the pilgrimage to the Citadel an annual event, an occasion 
that will give the community something to look forward to from year to year.

Prior to departing overland for Port-au-Prince, the delegation was treated to a 
tour of Lakou Jissou, where the traditional African religion of Vodou is 
practiced; a tour of Cap-Haitien and a visit to the  beach at Cormier Plage. 
HSP also convened a working session with local officials and interested parties 
in the delegation to brainstorm about ways and means of promoting and 
implementing the Model City Initiative, particularly the priorities of 
supporting the municipal/public schools, mobilizing humanitarian assistance and 
business/economic-development investment.

After a rough-and-tumble ride to Port-au-Prince by way of St. Marc,  Gonaives 
and the beachfront resort of Club Indigo, the delegation was joined by 
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee and graciously received by Janet Sanderson, 
U.S. ambassador to Haiti,  at the official residence. On the final day, the 
delegation was received by President Rene Garcia Preval and Prime Minister 
Edouard Alexis. The president presented special gifts to each of the 
participants and pledged his full support for the Model City Initiative and 
work of HSP in promoting cultural-historical tourism, humanitarian assistance 
and economic development.

At the concluding press conference, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee commended 
President Preval for his efforts to reach across the political spectrum to 
forge maximum unity around an agenda of progress for Haiti including placing a 
high priority on measure to reduce crime, violence and insecurity. She pledged 
the support of the Congressional Black Caucus in pressing for the passage of 
the HOPE Act which would spur economic growth and job generation in the 
manufacturing sector.

Dr. Daniels noted that many of the participants had described the pilgrimage as 
a “life-changing experience.” Clearly in an exuberant mood,  he proclaimed,  “I 
am genuinely pleased that the participants on this extraordinary pilgrimage are 
returning to the United States with a commitment to be ambassadors of hope for 
Haiti. Their charge is to spread the word, that every person of African descent 
should visit the Citadel at least once in a lifetime.” Dr. Daniels also 
announced that Patrick Delatour, minister of tourism, has accepted an 
invitation to be the special guest and keynote speaker for HSP’s annual Haitian 
Independence Month celebration, January 6, 2007 in New York.

For further information or to arrange interviews contact: Dr. Ron Daniels, 
718-429-1415.