28306: Minsky: (announce) 4/29 NYC-Hispaniola: Voices of It's People Echoing Freedom (in English & Kreyol) (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Tequila Minsky <tminsky@ix.netcom.com>

***

Hispaniola: Voices of It's People Echoing Freedom (in English & Kreyol)

 ********************************************************************
EVENT: Hispaniola: Voices of Its People Echoing Freedom
PLACE: The Riverside Church, 91 Claremont St, NY, Room MLK 411
DATE/TIME: Saturday April 29, 2006 at 9:30am
Contacts: Alba Mota at am2360@columbia.edu/212-729-3086 or Holly Guzmán at 
hg2064@columbia.edu

"HISPANIOLA: VOICES OF ITS PEOPLE ECHOING FREEDOM"

Is an open forum organized mostly by Dominican and Haitian students from 
Columbia University, Arelis Figueroa from The Latino Ministry at The Riverside 
Church, Haitian Student Association from LIU, City College students, Professor 
Falade from LIU, the Dominican Solidarity with the Haitian Community in DR, and 
Kalunga Neg Maroon Group to provide a space for dialogue at all levels as well 
as brainstorming among students, community members, professionals, scholars, 
and allies concerned with issues pertaining to human rights, and Dominican and 
Haitian affairs. The persistence of the violations of Haitians' human rights in 
the Dominican Republic, concurrent with the Dominican and Haitian governments' 
neglect to address these violations are the main driving forces for the 
coordinators. The involvement of the Diaspora communities within the United 
States at the Forum is a pivotal element for the alliance the collaborators 
want to ultimately achieve.

Concerned Dominican and Haitian students from Columbia University, City 
College, Long Island University, and other schools, along with various 
community organizers, and professors began a collaboration to generate momentum 
and solidarity among Haitians and Dominican in the Diaspora. This open forum 
looks to provide the necessary information and tools to better tackle with the 
Haitian crisis in the Dominican Republic. As a result, the forum emphasis will 
provide a point of convergence for Dominican and Haitian immigrants and 
descendants in the Diaspora. Three main goals will be accomplished:

1. First, it is essential to reach a mutual and clear understanding of the 
Hispaniola historical perspective as an island/two nations, followed by an 
update of the current socioeconomic and political situations maintaining both 
nations torn and in misery;

2. The second goal is to sketch a proactive plan supported by action, unity, 
respect, willingness and collaboration between Dominican and Haitian 
descendants residing in the United States.  This plan must be socially 
inclusive and take into account the time, commitment and energy required for 
success;

3. Thirdly, to transform this proactive plan into a concrete instrument that 
would help to halt the hostile relationships between the two countries and 
change Dominicans' mentality towards Haitians.

Please Contact: am2360@columbia.edu or 212-729-3086/ hg2064@columbia.edu