In This Issue:
- Let's Hear It for Outrage!: A Message from Father Jack
- A Letter from Our President
- Fiyel mwen yo: Judy Reilly's Address to Law School Graduates in Jérémie
- Change Comes Through Love, Action and Commitment....People and Events in the News
- Change Comes Through Relationships..... Haitian Exchange Students at St. Benedict's Prep
- Imprisoned but free...A voice that can't be silenced: Father Gerard Jean-Juste
- HSNNE News and Special Announcements
- Membership Reminders
Let's Hear It for Outrage! A Message from Father Jack
On an Advent Sunday afternoon, I tried to visit a former parishioner in jail, but I was refused entry. The desk guard told me I would have to call on Monday to see about visiting. Doing my best to stay calm, I said, "Thank you," and left. That Monday I called as advised. I was given sincere apologies, along with assurance that I could visit any time, including that a message would be sent to the desk confirming my right to visit.
Unfortunately, I didn't make it back to the jail until Thursday, now the 10th day my inmate friend was in jail, sans visitors. A different guard on Thursday hinted there could be a problem and I began to explain what I had been told in my phone contact. The guard stopped me in mid-sentence, telling me to calm down and be patient. I answered that if I was unable to visit, I would phone the County Executive who has authority over the prisons. I was told once again to calm down and be patient. I fell silent, and five minutes later was handed a permission to visit.
As I returned to the exit after the visit, the same guard gave me a little speech, "Reverend, you are supposed to have the patience of Job." I thanked her for her advice. "Maybe I'll come and preach on patience at your church one day," she added. I thanked her once again, and wished her "Merry Christmas."
While driving home, I thought about what I should have said (doesn't this happen to you often enough!) I should have told her that I hope I never preach to my parishioners about patience. Nor do I intend to welcome any preacher to do that. My people have been stepped on, left back, left out, left aside, and dissed. They don't need to be patient, they need to be angry and ready to fight-all non-violent --- but definitely fight. In Ancient Greece they said, "There will be justice in Athens when those who are not oppressed are as outraged as those who are." Give me more outrage at injustice. Not patience.
Archbishop Romero in the late 70's was told to calm down the campesinos who were berating their mistreatment by coffee owners and national guardsmen. "Tell them they will get their reward in the Kingdom of Heaven, but now they need to sacrifice patiently." Bishop Romero responded, "I believe it's necessary for the people to organize" to build the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Remember lawyer Brian Concannon's response about three things we could do for Haiti: ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE! Bad systems in jails or countries do NOT get changed by BEING PATIENT; they get changed by angry people organizing and taking ACTION for social change! We did some of this in 2005, and we're ready for more in 2006,
si Bondie vle.
Pè Jack Martin
A Letter from the President of HSNNE
Once more, we have come to the time of year where we send our warmest wishes to our family, friends, and supporters. As we look at the smiling faces, the hustle and bustle that this holiday season brings, it is sometimes difficult to remember that the suffering that goes on in the world around us knows no holiday. This year HSNNE would like to acknowledge and thank all of our dedicated members and friends of Haiti, for remaining steadfast in their commitment to the cause of our poor brothers and sisters. We would also like to ask you to take a few minutes to focus on the changes our efforts can bring and to continue to support these efforts.
Most of us have heard or read many negative reports about Haiti, some caused by its occupiers (the United States, France and Canada), some fabricated by irresponsible journalists and some perpetuated by Haitian people themselves. Despite these reports, our goals at HSNNE have not wavered. We continue to go on quests for justice and to boldly disseminate accurate information about Haiti's government, its occupiers, and the endless daily struggles of its people. Our work in Haiti remains focused on the very poor and the voiceless. We support organizations that fiercely fight against human rights violators including the de facto government, Haitian police, international community and the UN staff who are on site with a mandate to bring Peace and Democracy but instead support and facilitate violence.
Despite the occupation of their cherished land, the mockery made of their constitution and the many lives lost, our poor Haitian brothers and sisters continue to strive. They continue to remain hopeful where many would have lost faith. During the "Most wonderful time of the year" remember the poor, less fortunate, and misunderstood. Remember the people of Haiti who are so depressed, so hungry for justice, peace and a hot meal that this year they cannot be concerned with Christmas shopping . They are tired of burying their children, parents, friends. They are tired of seeing their loved ones being jailed without due process. In a time where many Haitians have lost so much, they fight to salvage their dignity amid the apparent hopelessness.
Ti moun an Ayiti yo ap soufri grangou. Yo pa gen ke kontan. Yo se ofelen, restavek, abandone. Those children are God's creation and just like us, they deserve the Joy, Happiness, and Peace left to us by Jesus Christ before He returned to the Father. They are included in the same covenant with God as those more fortunate.
This year as we are celebrating the birth of Christ and wrapping gifts, I am asking you to make a donation to the Haiti Solidarity Network of the North East (HSNNE) to help us keep our projects* alive. Remember that through our combined efforts, changes do occur. Won't you please make a special gift to your not so far neighbor this holiday season?
Again, the HSNNE board would like to join me in a salute to you for your on-going support and we wish you and yours a very blessed Holiday Season.
Warm wishes,
Georgette Delinois,
HSNNE President
*HSNNE projects include: the micro-credit programs, tree planting, scholarships, medical missions, support to different schools in the far reaching areas of Haiti, assisting human rights lawyers and emergency responses
Judy Reilly Address the Graduates of Law School (ESCDROJ) in Jérémie
"Fiyel mwen yo, it is clear (Jesus) will evaluate how you used your gifts and talents as a lawyer by this standard: what you did for the poorest and the weakest people."
In late October 2005, HSNNE Treasurer Judy Reilly travelled to Haiti, where she was honored by the ESCDROJ. The following is the text of her address to the law school graduates.
Msgr. Romelus, Father Jomanus, Members of the Clergy, Members of the Faculty, Honored Guests, Distinguished Visitors and Graduates,
I thank you for inviting me to join you today in this grand celebration. It is my privilege and joy to be the marenn of your class.
Fiyèl mwen yo, chapo ba pou nou. You have worked hard and sacrificed much to reach this day. Today you are lawyers. You deserve to be proud. You have accomplished much. You deserve to celebrate. But now that you are lawyers, what will you do? Why do we need you? Why do we need lawyers? What purpose will you serve?
I am a lawyer, too, and in my office I hang a small ax on the wall, a tomahawk, with a small sign. The sign says, "Alternative Dispute Resolution". The purpose of lawyers is to settle disputes, without violence, and to keep the peace.
How do they do that? They apply the law. They represent their clients within the law. So, for a lawyer to work, there must be a Rule of Law. What is a Rule of Law? A clear set of regulations, rights and procedures applied equally to all people.
Why does a country need a Rule of Law? Because without a Rule of Law there is no stability, no security, no safety, no confidence, no justice. A country without the Rule of Law is a jungle; it's without compassion. The strongest person dominates, with impunity, without accountability, until another who is stronger comes and takes over. The people suffer misery, poverty, fear and violence, without recourse. A Rule of Law that is respected by the people gives a country the framework to operate a functioning government, provide basic services to the people, maintain an infra-structure and build an economy. The Rule of Law works best when the people participate in its creation.
Fiyèl mwen yo, we need lawyers to entrust with the Rule of Law. Fiyèl mwen yo, you have been called by God. You have a purpose. You share your title of "Avokat" with the Holy Spirit. Your purpose, like the Holy Spirit, is to speak for the people, mediate for the people, intercede for the people. You are peacemakers. Your model is God Himself, in the person of the Holy Spirit.
God has given all people and all nations His Rule of Law: the Ten Commandments given to Moses; the commandment given by Jesus "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" and Jesus' explanation of the Last Judgment. Then God will judge you and me at the end, when He will separate the sheep from the goats. He tells us "Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me." The sheep who looked after the least brother, he will bless. They will inherit the Kingdom prepared for them. The goats, who did nothing for the least brothers, He will curse. They will depart into the eternal fire prepared for Satan.
Fiyèl mwen yo, it is clear He will evaluate how you used your gifts and talents as a lawyer by this standard: What you did for the poorest and the weakest people. Will you be a sheep or a goat? Fiyèl mwen yo, the tasks before you are large, but the opportunities are large, too. Go forward as lawyer Save justice. Recover peace. End violence. Create a Rule of Law. Build a free and democratic nation.
God bless and protect you all.
Change Comes through Love, Action and Commitment……People and Events in the News.
Father Joseph Philippe
In Fonkoze 2004 report: "Lé konn kote ou vle ale, ou deja fé mwatye chemen an" "When you know where you want to go, you have already gone half way. I will continue to give my life and all my best efforts to Haiti. I invite you to join us, to join motivated, hardworking people as they rebuild their country from the ground up."
…80,000 people are saving $5 1/2 million; $2 ½ million have been saved by the poor through Fonkoze.
Hilton Humanitarian Prize Goes to Paul Famer/ Jim Yong Kim's Partners in Health
Conrad Hilton Humanitarian Prize of $1.5 million dollars, the world's largest prize, has been awarded to Partners in Health, a non-profit organization based in Boston, MA. This honor was for the organization's work in providing "first world" health care to the poorest societies.
…Fonkoze and Partners in Health have joined together to change the world by challenging conventional wisdom about fighting poverty and disease.
International Tribunal on Haiti
"Wherever there is impunity for power, there is no law." Ramsey Clark.The International Criminal Court was created by a treaty signed by over 120 nations to receive evidence of crimes committed and to hold those convicted for them accountable under the law of nations. The International Tribunal on Haiti has been hearing evidence of crimes against the people of Haiti to be brought to the International Criminal Court. The hope is that Haiti can do its part to protect itself from lawlessness.
……Tribunal sessions have been held in Washington and Boston.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights
The court announced victory for two girls of Haitian decent born in the Dominican Republic and denied basic citizenship rights. The Association of Women of Haitian Descent (MUDHA) and the Center for Justice (CEJIL) stayed with this case for over three years.
……This is a significant breakthrough of a long-standing refusal to recognize as citizens of the Dominican Republic, children of Haitian descent born in the DR.
Brian Concannon
Brian, who was an honoree at HSNNE'S Dinner Dance earlier this year, continues to be a strong voice for justice for the people of Haiti. His "Seeing the Forest and the Trees" Truthout editorial this month about the elections which have now been rescheduled for the fourth time informs us. "The (delays) logistical defects should not obscure the more fundamental problems that will prevent the elections, whenever held, from helping Haiti to break from its brutal history of political instability."
Brian notes the lack of organizational competence and highlights the dangerous precedents that undermine the basic democratic rules. These are: 1) The IGH is demonstrating that a mandate can be extended by simply not holding elections for a replacement. 2) The government deciding who the people can vote for, and who can organize electoral activities. 3) The use of political terror as a campaign strategy. Political opponents are being jailed illegally.
Both the IGH and MINUSTAH give glowing reports about the election. "MINUSTAH's press release did not even mention the 'catastrophic' human rights situation that its own human rights department denounced in October, or the political prisoners that Mr. Joinet discussed just three days before. MINUSTAH Chief Juan Gabriel Valdes did warn of 'dark interests in Haitian society' that could disrupt the elections, but could find no fault with the IGH's lack of preparation or persecution of opponents.
Haitians may decide to vote and even find a candidate they can support and be happy with the end result. But this will not mean Haiti is any closer to escaping its centuries-old cycles of violence. The shortcomings of the process will inevitably detract from the victor's legitimacy, making a tough job even harder. The precedents of extending a Presidential mandate, keeping opponents off the ballot, and deploying electoral terror will soon enough return to once again deprive the Haitian people of the stability and democracy they deserve."
Mario Joseph
Mario, also an HSNNE honoree, is a lawyer and educator who is head of the BAI (Bureau des Advocats) in Haiti and working on behalf of the release of the political prisoners in Haiti.
AUMOHD
Evel Fanfan, President of the Association of University Graduates Motivated for a Haiti with Rights, a human rights advocacy group, has been working hard to investigate and bring to court the murderers of the victims of the soccer game massacre at Gran Ravine. "Sason" one of the official citizen investigators, who was working with MINUSTAH, was arrested and appeals sent out for his release, which AUMOHD was able to obtain. Evel had also been able to get Helene, the wife of a Lavalas leader freed and make appeals on behalf of street children and others who have no one to speak for them.
Change Comes through Relationships....Haitian Exchange Students Attend St. Benedict's Prep
A dream sprouted two years ago when Fr. Pierre Piquion, the Religious Superior of the 1200 student prep school for boys in Cap-Haitian and Fr. Vernet Luxana, its Headmaster, approached Fr. Eugene Squeo of Assumption/All Saints Church in Jersey City with the idea of forming a brotherly relationship with a school in the U.S. Having worked with Fr. Edwin Leahy, OSB, the Headmaster of the 570 student prep school for boys in Newark, Fr. Squeo immediately thought of SBP. He recognized the shared qualities of the two schools- a commitment to the students of the challenged cities in which they are located, to scholarship, and to developing the whole individual.
Five students from College Notre Dame du Perpetuel Secours of Cap-Haitien came to St. Benedict's Prep School in Newark as the first part of an exchange between the two schools. The goals of the exchange are to educate St. Benedict's students about the much-stereotyped country of Haiti, whose people face unbelievable political and economic challenges but remain optimistic and strong-willed, and to provide CND students with an opportunity to come to the US to practice their English, make friends and connections here, and be inspired by the political and economic systems of our country. Pè Gene Squeo and Sister Kay participated in entertaining them at Newark Bears Stadium.
As a result of this visit, St. Benedict's students have had their eyes opened to another culture and the inner strength and discipline of the students from Haiti. The CND students will return to Haiti speaking more fluent English and with a greater awareness of the world outside Haiti and how they might engage it to better their own and their country's condition. Both sets of students now share invaluable new friendships and connections.
The greatest benefits to St. Benedict's of its brotherhood with CND will come when they have the opportunity to visit CND in the future. They are praying for restoration of political calm in May 2006 so that can happen.
-Adaptation of Pè Piquion's report
Imprisoned but free...A voice that can't be silenced
"Transformation is only valid if it is carried out with the people, not for them. Liberation is like childbirth, and a painful one. The person who emerges is a new person: no longer either oppressor or oppressed, but a person in the process of achieving freedom. It is only the oppressed who, by freeing themselves, can free their oppressors."Father Gerard Jean-Juste : "I feel so fortunate for my spiritual training. I pray continuously for the other (prisoners) who don't have that capacity. I keep praying for them and attempt to encourage them. I ask them to pray and remind them that freedom is coming. I try to talk to every prisoner when I pass their cell. I tell them, 'God will hear you." I advise them to stay spiritually and physically strong."-Paulo Friere, from Pedagogy of the Oppressed
and again in a more recent letter:
" There is no justice in Haiti. It is worse since the February 29, 2004 coup d'etat that sent the elected President of Haiti Jean Bertrand Aristide to South Africa in exile.
I, therefore, Gerard Jean-Juste, a priest reduced to silence by the illegal de facto government, in jail or sequestration under false accusations since July 21, 2005, declare that I want freedom for myself and the political prisoners now- before the holiday season."
.....Hundreds of voices, including the powerful, have been raised on behalf of the release of Fr. Jean-Juste. Still, as his health deteriorates, he pursues his freedom and calls us to continue to work, to not give up the struggle for his release, despite the setbacks. Let us do it! We have signed onto the Religious Leaders letter and contacted our Congresspersons to sign onto Maxine Water's letter to President Bush. Let's not desist.
HSNNE News and Special Announcements
Aristide and the Endless Revolution, a film by Nicholas Rosier, was shown at our November HSNNE meeting and seven members went to the New York showing of it where Brian Concannon and Amy Goodman of WBAI radio, as well as the producer, answered questions at the end. The film opens nationally December and January. Check www.Firstrunfeatures.com for more information. It is an excellent production.
Some reviews:
"Taut, well-balanced, insightful,,,a probing look into Hait's contentious modern history."-The New York Times"Informative and very moving. An excellent film about the recent political history of Haiti."- Richard Pena, Film Society of Lincoln Center
Matthew 25 Guest House is the new name for Visitation House, used by many Parish Twinning Program teams in Haiti. Sister Mary Finnick, a religious of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart in Philadelphia is on staff. HSNNE donated $1,000 to PTPA.
Jubilee Interfaith Organization continues its work on behalf of Immigrants with the In-State Tuition Bill H2267, S78 and the Dream Act which would enable undocumented students to attend college without having to pay out-of-state tuition rates provided they meet the other requirements.
Also, the Secure America & Orderly Immigration Act ( S1033) or McCain-Kennedy bill and its Companion bill in the House HR 2330. This Comprehensive Reform is a bi-partisan legislation which seeks to control illegal immigration with more humane and realistic strategies: a temporary worker program, family unification, providing a pathway toward legalization for our nation's eleven million undocumented immigrants.
Regrettably, the Real ID act passed in the House. This national ID card includes a cruel requirement that immigrant refugees present documented proof of persecution & the motivation behind the persecution. It also gives the federal government intrusion into the driver licensing process.
NJ Immigration Policy Network HSNNE supports the work of NJIP as it intersects with JIO. On January 21, 2006 an all day conference "Rights and Respect for Immigrants: Framing the Message"……will be held in Rutgers Labor Building, New Brunswick
Ingersoll Rand Company A long time coming, but it's there. Pè Simon Francois of Caritas Jacmel announced in an email to Father Jack: "I am very happy to communicate to you that we got it (the Bobcat tractor) out from customs in Port au Prince. Please transmit my thanks to all concerned."
We are indeed most grateful to Ingersoll Rand Company for donating the tractor, to Ed Miller whose letter of appeal gained their approval, and to Caritas Haiti under Bishop Poulard and Pè Simon in Jacmel. Praise God, some help is reaching the flood victims in Nan Mapou area.
Public Gatherings HSNNE organized a gathering at the Federal Building for a peaceful demonstration regarding Haiti's plight on Sept. 30th. Members attended the Jubilee Interfaith Public Meeting with State representatives to address housing, immigration and other issues affecting N.J. residents on Oct. 30th.
Sister Carol Ann Lockwood, S.C. is back in the States recouperating from a knee infection, after two months in her new ministry in Gros Morne. Carol, who is looking forward to her return, shared at our meeting that her Community wants to develop a sustainable work project there , one that the people themselves want.
NJ Haitian Student Association Jean, Jacques and Gregory of the NJHSA came to our meeting to share some of their ideas and projects. They are a non-profit organization which serves as an umbrella to all the Haitian student groups and affiliate clubs in N.J.'s 13 community colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning. Their membership is dedicated to the empowerment of Haitian/Haitian American Students as well as development of the Haitian community in N.J. through cultural programs. They discussed school sponsorship with Judy Reilly, who has a scholarship program in Vallieres and will do follow-up with her. NJHSA intends to rent the Aristide film and show it in a theater in our area.
Membership Reminders
Whatever you can give to help us in our work is appreciated. Giving before the end of the year enables you to claim a 100% charitable deduction. If that's not possible to do now, we have the upcoming Dinner Dance on April 22nd. We support the poor in Haiti as they struggle to bring about changes in their lives. The need is great. Thank you for what you do.
Remember our website hsnne.org.
We continue our monthly meetings at St. Joseph's Social Service Center on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm. We are hoping to have a cane cutter labor organizer or Guy Antoine as speaker for the January 10th, 2006 meeting.
Prayer Vigils continue on the 3rd Monday of the month. We had Bishop Willy Romelus as speaker this month.
HSNNE office contact (201) 779-5379 or (201) 437-0020.