26922: Hermantin(opinion) Jean-Juste (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

It was about 3 years ago, I believe, that I became absolutly outraged by what 
was happening in Haiti, and decided to break my self-imposed vow of silence (at 
least about Haitian politics) and speak out against the increasingly violent 
acts of President Aristides' henchmen.

It has come to this point again, and, for whatever it's worth,I will  speak out 
against an acts of violence and injustice perpetrated by the Latortue/Boniface 
government against Father Gerard Jean-Juste. Personally, I do not like the 
man....OK... for those of you who know me, I did carry a HUGE crush on 
Jean-Juste many moons ago, but.... He is now in jail ,charged with doing 
WHAT??? Being partisan, brash and obnoxious??? Feeding the poor and giving them 
the voice and visibility denied by a government too busy in its kleptocratic 
pursuits while rewarding Duvalierist goons with diplomatic appointments???

Honestly,many like me have failed to become more involved, because the advocacy 
on Father Jean-Juste's behalf has been led by the same strident, pro-Aristide 
voices that have grated on our nerves for awhile now. But as Jean-Juste is 
lingering in prison still, and as the government of Haiti fails to offer any 
justification,legal or otherwise for his incarceration, it is time I think to 
ignore, the zealots. Indeed, some of us  had felt compelled 3 years ago,to 
march and demonstrate (albeit holding our noses) with  temporarily radicalized 
MRE's. It is time now for all justice- loving people whether or not they 
support Aristide to speak out against this prima facie act of injustice against 
Father Jean-Juste.