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Congressional Black Caucus-
House Haiti Caucus Roundtable

On Wednesday May 8 the Congressional Black Caucus and the Haiti Caucus held a round table discussion in the Capitol to discuss the current situation in Haiti and to hear from stakeholders in the US. Quixote Center attended and was able to present our advocacy priorities, which are based on input from our partners in Haiti. We presented our March statement ([link removed]) as part of the follow up.

We offer our deepest appreciation to our colleagues on the Hill for continuing to work toward constructive solutions for Haiti.

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and House Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswomen Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), and Yvette Clarke (NY-09) convened a roundtable discussion in partnership with the Haitian Bridge Alliance to discuss the urgent need for federal action to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Haiti. The convening allowed members to discuss with various stakeholders additional actions that Congress can take to assist in bringing the crisis in Haiti to an end. It comes as the humanitarian, political, economic, and security crisis in Haiti has become increasingly dire.

According to reports ([link removed]), more than 2,500 people have been injured or killed in Haiti between January and March, and another 15,000 have been displaced in the midst of violence and unrest on the island.

The roundtable discussion followed a press conference ([link removed]) held at the Capitol led by the House Haiti Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus, where members again renewed calls for House Republicans to release an additional $40 million dollars in security funding to stabilize Haiti and chart a path towards free and fair elections.

Roundtable participants included:
* Representative Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chairman, Congressional Black Caucus
* Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Co-Chair, House Haiti Caucus
* Representative Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Co-Chair, House Haiti Caucus
* Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Co-Chair, House Haiti Caucus
* Representative Maxine Waters (CA-43)
* Representative Frederica Wilson (FL-24)
* Representative Maxwell Frost (FL-10)
* Representative Stacey Plaskett (D-VI)
* Representative Barbara Lee (CA-12)
* Representative Jonathan Jackson (IL-01)
* Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)
* Haitian Bridge Alliance
* UndocuBlack Network
* Haiti Renewal Alliance
* Florida Immigrant Coalition
* Office of the Haitian Diaspora
* National Haitian American Elected Officials Network
* Global Justice Clinic, NYU School of Law
* Adomi Advisory Group PLL
* Society In Action, Inc.
* Thelusca Global Consulting Group
* Haitian American Foundation for Democracy
* International Rescue Committee
* Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
* MTA Visions Global CSR & Govt Relations
* Bridgevision
* NÈGÈS MAWON
* National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals
* FEWGI Foundation for the Emancipation of Women and Girls
* Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti
* Center for Economic and Policy Research
* The Haitian Times
* Quixote Center
* Immigrant Family Services Institute, Inc.
* New York City Public Schools
* Barbershop Speaks
* W.K. Kellogg Foundation
* Avanse Ansanm
* Open Society Foundations
* Haitian Christian Leadership Coalition
* The City of Coral Springs
* HaitiBrigade
* Haitian American Lawyers Association of DC Maryland and Virginia
* Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
* Caribbean Heritages Collective
* Tabernacle of Glory
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Since its establishment in 1971, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has been committed to using the full Constitutional power, statutory authority, and financial resources of the federal government to ensure that African Americans and other marginalized communities in the United States have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. The Caucus is Chaired by Congressman Steven Horsford. As part of this commitment, the CBC has fought for the past 52 years to empower these citizens and address their legislative concerns.

 

Take Action for Haiti

Haiti is desperate. According to the UN special envoy to Haiti, criminal gangs control 80% of the capital and are moving further and further into other parts of the country, leaving many people trapped in their homes with little means to feed their families, or forced to flee their homes with nothing. Scarcity of gasoline and water, and high prices of essential products are transforming an already distressed State into ashes.

In the absence of a functioning state, gangs terrorize the population with rape, kidnapping, and murder, all with impunity. Gangs are blocking commerce distribution routes and paralyzing the main port, leaving 1.4 million Haitians on the verge of famine, and more than 4 million in need of food aid, according to the UN's World Food Program. Haiti needs humanitarian aid, and also intellectual contribution toward the establishment of working policies designed to strengthen its political weakness. It is urgent that the United States government take action to save lives in Haiti.

In response to the growing violence, we ask lawmakers to:
* Support S396, the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act, to identify and hold accountable those who are financing the gangs, especially those with assets in the US. A companion House bill has already passed.
* Stop the illegal flow of weapons from the U.S. to Haiti.
* Support HR 6618, the ARMAS Act, in the House, and introduce a companion bill in the Senate. HR 6618 would mandate a comprehensive federal strategy to disrupt arms trafficking, restore Congressional oversight over small arms exports, and prevent legitimate security assistance from being diverted to criminal groups.
* Provide sufficient resources and hold accountable U.S. agencies charged with enforcement, to prevent illegal arms trafficking out of Miami and New York.
* Do not waiver in ending U.S. support for de facto prime minister Ariel Henry. Henry remained in power due to U.S. government support, and widespread opposition to his government has contributed to the current crisis.
* Redesignate and extend TPS for Haitians. The existing TPS designation for Haiti is set to expire on August 4, 2024. Redesignation will allow protection against removal and eligibility for work authorization to all eligible Haitians currently in the United States.
* Stop all deportation flights and interceptions at sea. Despite extreme violence in Haiti, removals continue.
* Immediately increase humanitarian aid, and ensure consultation with impacted populations so that aid is directed toward the long-term sustainable development of the country. Include language that prioritizes Haitian diaspora organizations uniquely equipped to consult with local populations. The mission must prioritize a community development approach.
* Open a channel of communication and consultation on the future of Haiti where all affected groups, including gangs, elite, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and generation Z influencers can share their views on a sustainable socio-political framework.
* Any international police or military intervention should:
* Consult with Haitian civil society before deployment;
* Take measures to ensure human rights protections;
* Provide support and capacity-strengthening to the Haitian National Police;
* Articulate a clear mission to support a Haitian-led solution to restore democracy and ensure elections.

Click Here
to take action ([link removed])

 

Artist Corner
Fabiola Jean-Louis

Fabiola Jean-Louis is a contemporary Haitian-American artist who creates conceptual art through paper sculpture and textiles, photography, installation and painting. Born in Port Au Prince, Haiti and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Jean-Louis' work has been described as "magical, moody, and mysterious." Jean-Louis, in speaking of her work, says "I have an obsession with exposing what lies beneath the surface." Her works have been featured in New York Times, The Haitian Times, Architectural Digest, Vogue, Elle Décor, Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, and many more. You can find more about Fabiola Jean-Louis and see more of her work on her website ([link removed]).

 

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