12/11/07

Dear members and supporters of the Haiti Action Committee,

I want to commend you for your action today calling for the safe return of Haitian human rights advocate Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine.  Several Richmond residents have contacted me to express their deep concerns about his well-being.

For nearly 20 years, Mr. Lovinsky has been organizing tirelessly to promote the empowerment of the poor, oppressed and disenfranchised people of Haiti, who continue the struggle to assert their right to govern themselves.  He has established organizations to support street children and teenage mothers, and to provide psychological treatment to thousands who were tortured, exiled and imprisoned by the first coup d'etat against democratically elected President Aristide in 1991.  

Richmond California shares some of the major challenges that Haiti faces today:  gross economic disparity, environmental injustice, and usurpation of democratic processes by big capital.

Richmond also shares with Haiti a vital asset that cannot be discounted:  the wealth of human spirit found in the resourceful and courageous people who live there and persist in standing up for everyone's right to a decent living, a supportive community and full inclusion in charting the future.

When Mr. Lovinsky is safely returned, he will be welcome to visit us in Richmond any time, and I will gladly declare him an honorary resident of our city.

In solidarity,

Gayle McLaughlin
Mayor of Richmond, California