Feb 29: President, Give Us Lovinsky

Thousands across Haiti marched on February 29th to mark the 4th anniversary of the US-sponsored coup that kidnapped Jean-Bertrand Aristide and reversed Haiti's ten year old democracy. A contingent of the September 30th Foundation marched with a banner demanding, "Government of Preval Alexis Give Us Lovinsky Pierre Antoine the Same Way He Was Taken."

Haitian human rights activist Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine was disappeared and presumed kidnapped on August 12, 2007 after meeting with a US human rights delegation. He is a member of Fanmi Lavalas and a founding member of September 30th Foundation. He is a psychologist who works with victims of torture, and a fierce activist who stands with his people in the streets, where Haiti Action Committee saw him last –demonstrating, speaking and leading chants in front of a UN military complex last July during the 92nd anniversary of the 1915 US Marine Invasion of Haiti.

Certain events highlight the terrible violence unleashed by the United States against Haiti over the past 4 years since the coup which reversed Haiti's ten years of grassroots' democracy, and the impunity with which these forces have acted. These events show us the human cost of US/UN occupation -- the loss of life, of freedom, of progress towards a better life: the kidnapping of a president; political imprisonment of key government and grassroots leaders; two little girls – Stephanie and Alexandria - murdered by UN troops in Cite Soleil; the destruction of schools, health services, markets – the infrastructure which served Haiti’s poor; sex trafficking and rape of Haitian women and girls by UN troops. And now, the kidnapping of Lovinsky – which serves to warn that powerful forces can and will do whatever it takes to crush resistance.

Haiti Action Committee joins with organizations and individuals across the globe who are working to keep up the pressure on those who hold the power in Haiti - the US and the UN occupying forces - to demand the safe return of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine. 

A petition for Lovinsky has been signed by over 1500 organisations and public figures, including actor/activist Danny Glover, actor Martin Sheen, writer George Lamming, playwright John Arden, former Labour Minister Tony Benn, John McDonnell MP, journalist Rickey Singh, Madaraka Nyerere son of the late Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere, the Walter Rodney Commemorative Committee and many more. To sign the on-line petition, click here.

Let the US and the UN occupying forces know that enough is enough – the whole world is watching. We who defend Haiti’s democracy demand the safe return of Lovinsky, release the prisoners, return Jean-Bertrand Aristide and end the occupation. 

MORE NEWS AND UPDATES ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN TO RETURN LOVINSKY:

New Year's message in Kreyol from Dr. Jean-Bertrand Aristide to the people of Haiti, with support for Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine

Group Initiative for Saving the Life of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine press conference

Sign the on-line petition

Haiti Action Committee December 11th rally

Haiti Action Committee September 18th rally

Global Women's Strike International Rolling Fast and Vigil

Marguerite Laurent/HLLN Free Lovinsky Updates

ZNET, "The Disappearance of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine in Haiti," by Roger Innis

British members of Parliament  - Letter of Support

Amnesty International press release

Haiti Information Project interview with Lovinsky

Richmond City Mayor statement of support