Dear Friend, The Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH) invites you to celebrate our 20 years’ shared commitment to solidarity with Haitians fighting for justice and democracy. Building Justice Together: IJDH's 20th Anniversary Virtual Celebration - Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024
- Time: 7:00-8:00 PM ET (6:00 PM CT | 5:00 PM MT | 4:00 PM PT)
- Registration: Zoom registration link
We are not celebrating in spite of the horrific conditions in Haiti and trouble ahead in the US. We are coming together as a community because of them. These troubling times require us – more than ever – to come together and share support, hope, inspiration and other resources.
We will celebrate past victories, including precedent-setting legal cases and supporting the Haitian grassroots movement to successfully reverse a coup d’etat. We will have some wonderfully inspiring guests who have been instrumental in our journey, including Rep. Maxine Waters and Former First Lady of Haiti, Mildred Aristide. | |
But most importantly, we will be celebrating our continued and increased commitment to standing alongside Haitian communities in the face of extraordinary challenges. Yesterday, I spoke with my colleague Mario Joseph at the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI). He cut the conversation short, because he needed to retrieve a BAI car from a repair shop in a neighborhood about to fall to the armed group attacks that keep approaching the BAI office. Mario was frustrated that the violence in Haiti was limiting the BAI’s work—courts are closed, and even traveling to the office can pose a lethal risk for clients, lawyers and grassroots activists. But he was grateful that the lawyers come in when they can safely (“we had eight yesterday!”), and that victims of sexual assault and other crimes continue to come in to prepare cases for the day when the grassroots activists meeting at the BAI succeed in restoring the stability in Haiti that is necessary for survivors to secure justice. | |
I am terrified for Mario and the BAI team. I am also deeply grateful for the courage that the team and its clients and collaborators show every day. They do not know exactly how they will restore democracy to Haiti. But they know that if they keep working, day after day, collectively with others, despite the risks, the dismay and the disappointments, they will get there. I am deeply grateful that IJDH’s supporters provide the financial resources that the BAI depends on to provide a safe place for so many people to work for justice and stability in a violently unjust Port-au-Prince. At this point, every BAI expenditure— from the electricity bill and car repairs to the salaries for BAI security guards —is protecting lives as well as working to save democracy. When I told Mario how worried I was, he replied “nou pa gen chwa. Kounye a, nou vreman pa gen chwa.” (We have no choice. And now, we really have no choice). Mario meant first of all, that the BAI team, like millions of Haitians, are committed to fighting for justice as long as they need to. But he also meant that there was literally no way out right now. After three planes from the US were struck by gunfire from armed groups on Monday, flights in and out of Haiti were canceled for up to three months. The Dominican Republic has closed the land border. Mario also wanted to talk about a visit to the BAI this week from an Amnesty International delegation. The delegation brought cards from people all over the world. Mario mentioned countries in Africa, Asia and Europe — all expressing admiration for the BAI team’s courageous work, and promising solidarity with Haitians’ fight for democracy. Mario and his team were moved that so many people from far away cared about the BAI and Haitians. As their world keeps closing in from the violence, it means so much to know that people outside the dangers of Port-au-Prince are with them. Mario is looking forward to celebrating with the IJDH community at our virtual event on December 5th, and to thanking all the people who make it possible for his team to keep fighting for a more just and stable Haiti for 20 years. I am looking forward to Mario and the BAI team looking at the crowded Zoom screen, and seeing all the people who care about the BAI, their work and their country, and, like them who “pa gen chwa” – have no choice – but to continue joining Haitians’ fight for democracy. | |
I am also looking forward to continuing to learn from Haitian heroes how to overcome obstacles, danger and despair, by fighting persistently, collectively and with principle, knowing that doing so will get us there even if we do not know the precise route. Nou pa gen chwa. Gratefully, Brian Concannon IJDH Executive Director Your support makes the BAI team’s courageous work possible. Every contribution matters. Please donate today at www.ijdh.org/donate. Thank you! | |
