In The Name of The People

Marie Ferdinand Harris of WNBA fame to visit Miami area students (First and Only Female Haitian Basketball Superstar)

yeswecanstopdeportations — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:57:33 +0000

In collaboration with FANM AYISYEN NAN MIYAMI, Inc., Marie Ferdinand Harris of WNBA fame will be visiting several schools in Miami this mid -November. The shining star will be motivating the students of Toussaint Louverture Elementary(120 NE 59th St, Miami, FL, 33158) Nov 16th at 9:00 AM.On the 18th the basketball star will also visit Edison Sr. High, her Alma Mater (6161 NW 5th Court , Miami, Fl. 33127) at 9:00 AM and in the afternoon 3:00 PM will visit the kids of the afterschool program at FANM AYISYEN NAN MIYAMI (181 N.E 82nd St, Miami, Fl. 33138)and receiving a proclamation from North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre on the occasion . Her message is one of High Achievement , Success and Hope for the future for all inner city students.

Marie Ferdinand-Harris was signed by the Los Angeles Sparks as a free agent in early2008. Marie is a versatile shooting guard who can slash to the basket and break down any opponent. Ferdinand-Harris averaged 8.2 points and 1.5 assists during the 2008 season, with a season-best 19 points against the Connecticut Sun.

Before joining the Sparks, Ferdinand-Harris was a 3-time WNBA All-Star with the San Antonio Silver Stars (formerly the Utah Starzz) and still holds the Silver Stars record for career steals with 246.

Selected as the 8th pick of the 2001 WNBA Draft, Ferdinand-Harris was a superstar at Louisiana State. She was a 2001 Kodak All-American, an Associated Press Second Team All American and a First Team All-SEC selection.

She’s on of only three LSU players to record at least 1,500 points, 500 rebounds,300 assists and 200 steals in her career. In 2007, her college success was awarded as she was honored as one of the Southeastern Conference “Greats,” and inducted into the LSU Sports Hall of Fame.

For more information please contact FANM at 305-756-8050 x 107.

Haitians Impatient with Obama Over TPS

yeswecanstopdeportations — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:10:59 +0000

by Francesca Guerrier & Kim Ives

Some 50 Haitians and their supporters held a spirited demonstration in front of the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach on Monday, Oct. 26 to demand that President Obama immediately grant Temporary Protected Status or TPS to some 35,000 undocumented Haitians currently in the US.

Obama was at the hotel for a fundraiser for Democratic Florida congressmen Alcee Hastings and Kendrick Meek, who is running for senator.

The demonstration was organized by the Haitian American Grassroots Coalition, Institute of Justice and Democracy (IJDH), Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) and Free Haiti Now, all groups which had been expecting Obama to reverse the Bush administration’s denial of TPS to Haitians last December.

“We are all frustrated that more than nine months after President Obama’s inauguration Haitians still don’t have TPS despite the incredibly broad editorial and political support for it, including from the three South Florida Republicans in the US House of Representatives,” said Steve Forester, an immigration lawyer and long-time TPS advocate who presently represents the IJDH in Florida. “And we are doubly surprised that we have not yet gotten a response to our request to at least give people the dignity of the right to work while the administration continues, month after month, to review the propriety of granting TPS, which to us and every objective observer is a no-brainer, based on the four hurricanes and storms that hit Haiti in a one-month period a year ago.”

TPS, which briefly can be granted by executive order to undocumented immigrants in the U.S. who are temporarily unable to return to their nation because of a natural disaster, armed conflict, or other extraordinary circumstances. Since it was established in 1990, TPS has been granted to immigrants from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Burundi, Somalia, Montserrat, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Liberia.

Since January, many demonstrations demanding TPS for Haitians have been held in Florida and other states. Over 300 people from Florida and the Northeast traveled by bus to Washington, DC to demonstrate in front of the White House on Jun. 3, and many more turned out for a second demonstration there on Sep. 16.

On Sep. 18, Free Haiti Now, FLIC and Haitian Women in Miami (FANM) held a vigil at Virginia Key Beach on Key Biscayne to call for TPS and to pay respect to the many Haitian refugees who have died at sea. Performing at the protest were Miami artists DJ Khaled, Mecca aka Grimo, and Grindmode. Other celebrities also supported the action and the TPS call including M1 from Dead Prez, Black Dada, Ace Hood, NBA superstar Hudonis Haslem, and three artists from the group Poe Boy: Billy Blue, Brisco and Flo Rida.

“We need the administration to grant TPS or at least, while they are considering it, to grant work permits on a case by case basis to TPS-deserving non-criminal Haitians who desperately need work permits, drivers licenses and the ability to feed their families, pay electricity bills, and send remittances to Haiti which can support up to ten times that number, thereby increasing Haiti’s security and our own,” Forester said.

On Oct. 26, the demonstrators were restricted to a sidewalk across Collins Avenue from the Fontainebleau. The area was heavily guarded by U.S. Secret Service, Miami Beach police and private security guards. The police harassed demonstrators who sought to take pictures of the protest from the street.

Further down the sidewalk, a group of about 100 anti-immigrant “teabaggers” protested Obama’s presence in Miami with absurd signs like “Go back to Kenya” and “Go back to Indonesia” and “Obama = Comunism.” (sic)

Among those who came out to the TPS demonstration were a few Central American farmworkers from Homestead, about 25 Haitians from West Palm Beach, and FLIC staff members.

In March, former Haitian-American unionist Patrick Gaspard, now Obama’s Director for Political Affairs, traveled to Miami to soothe and reassure Haitian leaders that the administration would soon act on TPS. The reprieve he brokered has now expired.

“As far as we are concerned, regarding Haiti, the Obama administration is maintaining the same status quo as the Bush immigration policy,” Haitian-American Grassroots Coalition president Jean-Robert Lafortune told the Miami Herald.

POE BOYS FLO RIDA AND BRISCO FOR TPS FOR HAITIANS

yeswecanstopdeportations — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:05:07 +0000

Miami FL, FREE HAITI NOW met with Poe Boy’s Flo rida and Brisco Friday Sept 4th at the Hit Factory building to personally thank them on their support for the Tet Ansanm Vigil that will take place on September 18th at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park as a national call to ask President Obama to grant Temporary Protected Status to qualifying undocumented Haitians.
Flo rida spoke about his belief in Equal Rights he said:” I grew up with Haitians around me, they are very hard working people, they believe in education and a lot of them come here to have an opportunity, the opportunity that most Americans take for granted, I believe in equal rights, everybody has the right to eat, to support our families and I definitely believe that the Haitians deserve their rights. The Haitian youth I want to thank for their support , as I said lots of my friends are Haitians, keep on fighting hard until you get your rights, because Yall just as important as Americans.
His label mate Brisco said he would ask President Obama: “ Aren’t Haitians Humans? Aren’t they people? I’m not Haitian, but I speak up for the Haitian youth and I believe they deserve a even bigger voice, people in Haiti have been suffering, the least this administration can do is to grant them TPS considering that the Cubans have their right to stay here, and everybody else too, I just think it’s not fair towards Haitians. I want to tell the Haitian people to stay positive and empowered and powers come in numbers, so as long as yall stick together yall should be fine, Mr Obama you are doing so much for us, all we are asking is for one thing: TPS to HAITIANS NOW!
The Organizing Agencies FANM, FLIC, and FREE HAITI NOW are very thankful to have the support by the Hip Hop Community provided by On Point Entertainment and Marketing.
Nobody should live in fear especially in a free country as the United States, living in fear of raids and not being able to take your sick child to the hospital because of your “illegal” status therefore can’t have a license is simply legally, morally and spiritually wrong.

Event Details and For More Information:
Event: Tet Ansanm TPS Solidarity Vigil
Date: Friday, September 18, 2009
Time: 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Virginia Key Beach Park – 4020 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL
Hosting Agencies: FANM, FLIC, FHN, OPEM
Type: Vigil/Rally
Phone: 3057787073
Email: Francesca@floridaimmigrant.org, dmagloire@fanm.org, Francesca@onpointworld.com

Background: Temporary Protected Status is for foreign nationals currently residing in the U.S. whose homeland conditions are recognized by the US government as being temporarily unsafe or overly dangerous to return to (e.g., war, earthquake, flood, drought, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions). TPS would afford undocumented Haitians SSN, work authorization, driver licenses and opportunity to attend school while they are in the US as Haiti recovers from four devastating hurricanes in 2008.

Hip-Hop Record Label, We the Best Music, Urges President Obama to Grant Temporary Protected Status for Haitians

yeswecanstopdeportations — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:12:59 +0000

Almost one year since four hurricanes killed approximately one thousand men, women, and children; destroyed 80 per cent of Haiti’s crops; and added over a million more to the homelessness rate in Haiti, ongoing requests for TPS for approximately 30,000 undocumented Haitians in the US continue to go unanswered. Members of the hip-hop community are voicing their frustrations about the treatment of Haitians by the Obama Administration.

DJ Khaled, founder of We The Best Music record label and Ace Hood, an artist on DJ Khaled’s label expressed their wish for TPS to be granted in an interview on September 2, 2009. Ace Hood asks “President Obama not to deport Haitians back but to allow them to stay, give them TPS and give them their freedom.” DJ Khaled added “This is a free country and the land of opportunity, and therefore [Haitians] deserve a chance.”

Ace Hood, whose hometown of Deer Field Beach is that site of Broward Detention Center, a detention center that unjustly incarcerates Haitians and other immigrants pending deportation, pleas for TPS so he can keep his Haitian friends around. He notes that if TPS is not granted it would affect him significantly. “A lot of people I surround myself with are Haitian, they are family,” he continues.

Like DJ Khaled and Ace Hood, other hip hop artists are pushing the Administration for TPS. In an event on September 18, 2009, hip-hop artists will raise their voices to call the youth to action toward President Obama. Poe Boy’s Flo rida, Billy Blue, Brisco, Sak Pase Record’s Mecca aka Grimo, Iconz Music’s Ballgreazy ,Maybach Music Group’s Triple C, 99 Jamz’s DJ Griot, Grindmode, and Des Loc from Piccalo will come together on Friday, September 18th, 2009 for the Tet Ansanm (Heads United) TPS Solidarity Vigil for Haitian refugees lost at sea. The Vigil sponsored by the Haitian Women of Miami (FANM), Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), FREE HAITI NOW (FHN) and On Point Entertainment and Marketing (OPEM) will take place at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park starting at 3pm on September 18th. The Vigil will also feature poets, motivational speakers and local politicians.

Event Details and For More Information:

Event: Tet Ansanm TPS Solidarity Vigil

Date: Friday, September 18, 2009

Time: 3:00pm – 7:00pm

Location: Virginia Key Beach Park – 4020 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL

Hosting Agencies: FANM, FLIC, FHN, OPEM

Type: Vigil/Rally

Phone: 305778707

Email: Francesca@floridaimmigrant.org, dmagloire@fanm.org, Francesca@onpointworld.com

Background: Temporary Protected Status is for foreign nationals currently residing in the U.S. whose homeland conditions are recognized by the US government as being temporarily unsafe or overly dangerous to return to (e.g., war, earthquake, flood, drought, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions). TPS would afford undocumented Haitians SSN, work authorization, driver licenses and opportunity to attend school while they are in the US as Haiti recovers from four devastating hurricanes in 2008.

DJ KHALED-RICK ROSS ‘S CCC ARTIST-MECCA AKA GRIMO SAY : PRESIDENT OBAMA GRANT HAITIANS TPS

yeswecanstopdeportations — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:20:45 +0000

Mecca aka Grimo Address President Obama for TPS for Haitians

DJ KHALED Comes in FULL Support of TPS for Haitians

Def Jam’s artist CCC’S Gunplay supports TPS for Haitians

NBA Star, Udonis Haslem speaks out in favor of TPS for Haitians

yeswecanstopdeportations — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 01:45:06 +0000

ON THE SET OF RICK ROSS'S CCC VIDEO SHOOT
In an interview on Wednesday, September 2, 2009, with FREE HAITI NOW, Udonis Haslem (#40), Forward-Center for the Miami Heat spoke about the widespread financial impact of Temporary Protected Status on the U.S. “I shout out TPS because whether we believe it or not, this would affect everybody,” Haslem comments. Haslam who states that Haitians are an integral part of Miami, believes that Haitians here alike everyone else in the US should have the opportunity to work and make an honest living.

Haslem is not alone in his sentiment about the importance of the Haitian community to the fabric of the American culture. Other young celebrities like Poe Boy’s Flo rida, Billy Blue, Brisco, Sak Pase Record’s Mecca aka Grimo, Iconz Music’s Ballgreazy ,Maybach Music Group’s Triple C, 99 Jamz’s DJ Griot, Grindmode, and Des Loc from Piccalo will come together on Friday, September 18th, 2009 for the Tet Ansanm (Heads United) TPS Solidarity Vigil for Haitian refugees lost at sea. They will raise their voices to call the youth to action toward President Obama to grant TPS to undocumented Haitians.

The Vigil sponsored by the Haitian Women of Miami (FANM), Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), FREE HAITI NOW (FHN) and On Point Entertainment and Marketing (OPEM) will take place at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park starting at 3pm on September 18th. The Vigil will also feature poets, motivational speakers and local politicians.

Event Details and For More Information:

Event: Tet Ansanm TPS Solidarity Vigil
Date: Friday, September 18, 2009
Time: 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Virginia Key Beach Park – 4020 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL
Hosting Agencies: FANM, FLIC, FHN, OPEM
Type: Vigil/Rally
Phone: 3057787073
Email: Francesca@floridaimmigrant.org, dmagloire@fanm.org, Francesca@onpointworld.com

Background: Temporary Protected Status is for foreign nationals currently residing in the U.S. whose homeland conditions are recognized by the US government as being temporarily unsafe or overly dangerous to return to (e.g., war, earthquake, flood, drought, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions). TPS would afford undocumented Haitians SSN, work authorization, driver licenses and opportunity to attend school while they are in the US as Haiti recovers from four devastating hurricanes in 2008.

-NO MORE DEATHS GRANTS US TPS-

yeswecanstopdeportations — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:17:58 +0000

Entrance is FREE Donations are Encouraged

APPEARANCES BY:
DJ GRIOT
BRISCO
BILLY BLUE
FLO RIDA
DES LOC FROM PICCALO
MECCA AKA GRIMO
GRINDMODE
STICHEZ
FLO

SUPPORTED BY:

ON POINT ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC
ICONZ MUSIC
POE BOY
99 JAMZ
HOT 105

POETS:
MECCA AKA GRIMO
MICHAEL MARTINEZ
WILDA NUBIA PREVIL

Politicians and Community leaders will also be present!

PARENTS OF BABY LUANA RELEASED AFTER FANM MAKES PLEA TO DHS

yeswecanstopdeportations — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 22:50:13 +0000

“At last, the parents of baby Luana have been released from custody,” exclaims Marleine Bastien, Executive Director of FANM, Inc. Almost one month ago, Marleine Bastien addressed a letter to Secretary Napolitano of the Department of Homeland Security, requesting the release of Chandeline Leonard and Lucsene Augustin. This couple was detained by ICE after their boat capsized off Palm Beach County on or about May 13, 2009. Chandeline and Lucsene’s 8 month old baby girl, Luana Augustin, tragically drowned in the waters when the boat capsized.

In the late afternoon of Friday, August 21, 2009, Chandeline was finally released from the West Palm Beach County Jail. Her father, Seneque Leonard and cousin, Albert Noel were there to bring her home. Today, after 3 months of separation, Chandeline and Lucsene were reunited. Lucsene Augustin was released today, August 27, 2009 at approximately 4:30pm. The family was all smiles as they drove back to Miami.

“We are relieved that ICE/DHS finally lifted the hold, which facilitated the release of Chandeline and Lucsene. We will continue to closely monitor their immigration cases and that of all the survivors of this tragedy to ensure that all are given due process,” states Danna Magloire, Esq., Attorney Adviser of FANM, Inc. “FANM remains at the service of Chandeline, Lucsene and their family. We are prepared to help them with the burial of baby Luana and support them as they begin their healing,” says Marleine.

FANM, Inc. coordinated the release of the bodies of the three unidentified women who were being held at the Palm Beach County Morgue along with Baby Luana. The three unknown women have been transported St Fort Funeral Home, at 16480 NE 19th Ave, North Miami Beach, FL 33162 (305) 940-1428. St Fort Funeral Home has graciously agreed handle the funeral arrangements without charge. The funeral for these three women is tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 11, 2009 in order to allow the families of the women to come in and identify the bodies. “We hope that the families of these women will come forward so that their lives may be celebrated and remembered,” states Marleine. The families are welcome at anytime during St Fort’s business hours to visit.

Kamarad by Magic Click

yeswecanstopdeportations — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:24:26 +0000

Comrade means “friend”, “colleague”, or “ally”. The word comes from French camarade from Latin camera (room). The term has seen use in the military, but is most commonly associated with left-wing movements, where “comrade” has often become a stock phrase and term of address.

YOU DO THE MATH..

Barikad Crew Performance in Miami set the crowd on fire.

yeswecanstopdeportations — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:01:13 +0000

It was Haitian, the heat that I felt last Friday at Bongos Cuban Club in Miami.
Red and Haitian bandanas united on the heads of the people that attended this incredible event organized by Sak Pase Records and Hip Faktory.

For the first time in the United States to perform live, straight from the Caribbean Island of Haiti, Barikad Crew also knows as the Haitian Wu Tang Clan .

It was the first time for me to see them performing and I was literally blown away by this band that lost three of its members last June 15 2008 in a car accident, and 24 hours later the longtime girlfriend of one of the fallen band members comited suicide while pregnant.

A tragedy for Kreyol Hip Hop, it sent the country in a turmoil.

However 1 year and a few days later, Barikad is strong in Miami. The band is so unique, nowadays we don’t have any real gangsta rough rappers, imagine the energy and vibration of Busta Rhymes marrying the struggle and pain of Tupac and the Awarness of Dead Prez.

The crowd was jumping and was absolutely crazy during their performance and even though I’m not a Creole Speaker I too found myself stamping my feet and banging my head…it was impossible to stay still and just observe.

Amazing was also the performance of the most Conscious artist in Creole Hip Hop Mecca aka Grimo, a complete artist, actor, poet, rapper, community activist, and teacher, he performed along side soulsista Guadalupen FLO to top it up and end it with the illest female vocalist in this game Stichez who sent the crowd in a delirium.

Haitian Fresh came on stage with his crew and gave the cameras and media exactly what they wanted…however the crowd was asking for Barikad Crew and until Barikad came on stage , the spectators wouldn’t stop asking for them.

This is Internationalism, Haitians are the most powerful and only in this game called: HIP HOP CREOLE, we hear raggae, reggaton and different sounds from the Caribbean and I have no doubts these Haitian Rappers will bring Creole Hip Hop across the waters and around the world and let it reign and take over the world’s radios.
These songs, vibes and rhythms deserve to be heard globally and enter the houses of the rest of the globe.