CHUCK BALLARO
Haiti is one of the poorest nations in the world. There is hunger, little employment, guns being smuggled into the country and corruption by the government, making for an unsafe environment.
On Sunday, more than 1,000 Haitian-Americans marched from City of Palms Park to Centennial Park in Fort Myers to bring awareness to their people’s plight and to demand the U.S. government do what it can to help.
Similar marches were held in all 50 states and in France, Haiti and Canada. Around 200,000 people were expected to attend the various events.
Beatrice Jacquet-Castor, who helped organize the local event, said they were marching for freedom and asking the U.S. to get control of the situation in Haiti.
“We need them to take the guns out of Haiti and stop them from getting into the country and seize the people responsible for Haiti’s problems,” Jacquet-Castor said.
There were three main issues for which the event sought to raise awareness: To urge the U.S. Senate to pass the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act (S.396), where the State Department will list the people who are the bad actors, to continue the humanitarian parole program that allows Haitian nationals and people from other countries to come to the country legally, and for freedom.
“There will be hundreds of people from all over the area and we want to bring awareness that we can make a difference in the 2024 presidential elections,” Jacquet-Castor said.
Her daughter Abigail Castor, 15, felt the need to support Haiti even as she has lived her entire life stateside.
“I feel sad when I see what’s happening in Haiti and I want to help them as much as I can,” Castor said. “I think it will bring awareness to organizations and wake up the community about what’s going on.”
There was chanting and demands that action be taken, as people waved cardboard signs asking for help, flew the Haitian flag and sang the county’s anthem.
Vilboeeur Byssainthe said he wanted to ask the governments from around the world to stand with Haiti.
“We need people to support Haiti for all it has gone through. The people of Haiti worldwide are united as one and we need support for the Haitian movement so we can get some relief,” Byssainthe said.
“I want everyone to come out and support us, and I appreciate Pastor Gregory Toussaint for being a strong leader in the Haiti community and having us all come together from around the country to make this movement for change,” said Vilbruna Byssainthe.
At Centennial Park, Dr. Phil Phillips, regional coordinator for the International March for the Relief of Haiti, told the crowd in English and Haitian, that they are hard-working people who have been marginalized by some.
“We are great people. We are not lazy. We are not beggars. We are not poor. We were made poor when the French stole our riches. We are here today to demand a different attitude towards us,” Phillips said, who alternated languages throughout his speech. “We are here to say enough is enough.”
Phillips said the community showed what kind of force it has, especially with the 2024 elections a year away.
“Haiti has been struggling for years and we realize we have to stand up for the change in relief that’s needed,” Phillips said. “We’ll know who voted for it or against it. Our voices will be heard in the voting booth, so listen to us.”
On the way back home, people were saying they were happy to have their voices heard.
Jeanette Osselin said hey were asking for justice and safety for Haiti.
“They are bringing guns into Haiti, and we ask for that to stop. We are the first black country that has freedom, we want people to understand that,” Osselin said. “We are good people. We work hard, go to school and do the right things.”
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