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Greens Launch Effort to Support Haitian Democracy and the People of Haiti.Monday, February 7, 2005 Contacts: GREENS ANNOUNCE EFFORT TO SUPPORT HAITIAN DEMOCRACY AND THE PEOPLE OF HAITI WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Green Party of the United States is launching an effort to support democracy in Haiti and to promote national assistance for the Haitian people. The party has established a Task Force on Haiti to be led by members of the Green Party's Peace Action Committee, Black Caucus, and International Committee. Below is a resolution on Haiti, with background information, passed last week by the Green Party. "We are pleased that this resolution passed, as we had anticipated," said Michle Tingling-Clemmons, Co-chair of the Green Party's Black Caucus. "The Black Caucus has long asserted, as has the Green Party, the importance of support for true democracy and human rights in Haiti, the first democratic republic in the Western Hemisphere, beating by more than half a century the United States' recognition of the humanity of Africans and people of African descent." "The Green Party has taken on the major responsibility to work with the people of Haiti during their time of need," added Logan Martinez, Ohio Green and presenter of the resolution. "I believe the Green Party is uniquely situated to be of great help to the people of Haiti in their struggle for freedom. Our goals are to build the broadest coalition of people here in the U.S. supporting the people of Haiti in their efforts to win freedom; to build a working relationship with Haitians, both in Haiti and living in the U.S.; and to educate Americans about the role of our government in undermining democracy in Haiti." Green Party of the United States The Resolution on Haiti 1. The Green Party of the United States (GPUS) calls on its members and supporters to work in their communities to aid the people of Haiti both materially and politically. 2. The Green Party of the United States (GPUS) Task Force on Haiti will be a joint task force with representatives from The Peace Action Committee (PAX) , GPUS Black Caucus, and the International Committee. The Task Force on Haiti will report in writing to the committees, Black Caucus, and the national Coordinating Committee every 4 months. Background In 1804, 60 years before the the emancipation of slaves in the United States, Haiti's slaves freed themselves. Haiti was the only country where slaves freed themselves. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. In February 2004, the democratically elected government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the Lavallasse Party was overthrown for the second time. Armed insurgents, largely backed by the U.S. government inserted an undemocratic regime. The coup precipitated a major wave of violence, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 Haitians. In August 2004, flooding caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne killed over 2,000 people in and around the city of Gonaives. The flooding has left thousands of people in the northwest province homeless and in dire need of food and other basic supplies. The combination of U.S. sponsored insurgent terror and the natural disaster have made an already poor nation even poorer. The established international community, largely represented by the United Nations, has failed to recognize Haitians' self-determined democracy and basic human rights. The Green Party has an important role to play working with other groups building solidarity with the Haitian people. The Green Party pledges to work for Peace and Freedom for the people of Haiti. Cosponsors MORE INFORMATION The Green Party of the United States
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