Inspired and challenged by Rev. Renaldo McKenzie of The NeoLiberal Corporation and the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti’s work in raising awareness and fighting for justice and democracy in Haiti, a group of individuals felt compelled to take action. They recognized their duty as Samaritans to their Haitian brothers and sisters and were motivated by the lack of social action among Caribbean peoples in support of Haiti’s fight. With a deep sense of purpose, they embarked on a transformative journey to address these challenges head-on. They believed in the power of unity and sought to gather support from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and its member nations to take a stand for their Haitian brothers and sisters.
In their quest to bring about change, they decided to create a petition campaign titled “CARICOM People and their Diaspora Support the Restoration of Democracy in Haiti.” The petition aimed to raise awareness about the deteriorating democratic situation in Haiti and call upon CARICOM to remove international support for the current de facto authorities.
With great enthusiasm, they carefully crafted the petition, capturing the essence of Haiti’s struggle and its significance to the Caribbean region. They highlighted the systematic dismantling of Haiti’s democracy, the control exerted by gangs, the rampant corruption draining public resources, and the alarming levels of hunger faced by millions of Haitians.
The petitioners reminded their fellow Caribbean citizens of the shared history between Haiti and the rest of the region. Haiti’s courageous fight for independence in 1804 paved the way for liberation movements in other nations, including Jamaica. They acknowledged Haiti as the first country to abolish slavery, a milestone that impacted the trajectory of freedom in the Caribbean.
Understanding the challenges faced by Haiti, the petitioners stressed that international support for the de facto government was not only a betrayal of democratic values but also a disservice to the Haitian people who had sacrificed so much for freedom. They firmly believed that a legitimate, Haitian-led solution was crucial to restoring democracy and paving the way for a better future.
As they penned the petition, the petitioners recalled the remarkable role CARICOM had played in the past. They remembered how, in 1994, Jamaica led a successful UN peacekeeping mission that restored Haiti’s elected government. They celebrated Jamaica’s unwavering support for President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 2004, despite immense pressure from external forces. These acts of solidarity had proven instrumental in the restoration of democracy in Haiti.
Filled with hope and determination, the petitioners turned to their fellow Caribbean citizens, urging them to add their voices to the cause. They understood that true change required a collective effort, and each signature on the petition was a symbol of unity and support for Haiti’s democratic aspirations.
They reached out to communities, organizations, and individuals across the Caribbean, spreading the word about the petition and the urgent need for action. They shared stories of Haitians from all walks of life—journalists, security guards, doctors, factory workers, mothers, and fathers—who longed for a future free from corruption and fear, where they could chart their own destiny.
Their plea was simple: join them in signing the petition to call upon CARICOM to refuse support for the illegal de facto government, propose the suspension of Haiti from CARICOM activities until fair elections were held, and demand the implementation of democratic principles outlined in the Inter-American Democratic Charter.
As the petition gained momentum, signatures poured in from all corners of the Caribbean. The petitioners were heartened by the overwhelming response—a testament to the shared commitment to justice, freedom, and democracy. They saw each signature as a beacon of hope, a tangible representation of the Caribbean people standing together in solidarity with their Haitian brothers and sisters.
But they didn’t stop there. The petitioners continued their tireless efforts to gather even more signatures, attending events, engaging in conversations, and spreading the word through social media platforms. They knew that every additional signature brought them one step closer to effecting change and restoring democracy in Haiti.
And so, the petitioners reached out to you, dear reader, with an earnest request: lend your voice, add your signature, and stand in solidarity with the Haitian people. Let us come together as one Caribbean family, united in our determination to bring about a brighter future for Haiti, where democracy thrives, corruption is eradicated, and peace and prosperity prevail.
Sign the petition today, and let our collective voices resonate across the Caribbean, inspiring hope and change for our Haitian brothers and sisters. Together, we can make a difference and create a stronger Haiti, firmly rooted in the principles of democracy and justice.
Sign the Petition for Haiti
For a stronger Haiti,
For more information on the Haiti crisis, please see the below links for the interviews and stories we did with the Institute for Justice and Democracy on Haiti Executive Director and Human Rights Attorney and International Advocate, Brian Concannon.
Recently I interviewed Brian Concannon for The NeoLiberal Round podcast, The Neoliberal Round. Little did I know that there was a situation that he is involved with as a Human Rights Advocate on Haitian justice and democracy. Brian is the Executive Director for The Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti. It’s a US based Human Rights agency that is actively involved in working here in the US to advocate for the Haitians. While conducting the interview, I learned that the US through Canada is actively seeking CARICOM to intervene in the Haitian crisis since the abduction of the Haitian President October 2022. The US has since installed a Prime Minister that Haitians oppose and this has created internal conflicts especially against the US backed PM who is calling for the US to intervene, despite the objection of Haitians.
The NeoLiberal Round Podcast Episode on the Petition for Haiti
The Petition is organized by Rev. Renaldo McKenzie Adjunct Lecturer and the Students in his Caribbean Thought class at Jamaica Theological Seminary and President/Creator at The Neoliberal Corporation, a Think Tank, Digital News and Publishing Company. Renaldo is the Author of Neoliberalism and doing a Doctorate at Georgetown University.
This story was first published in The NeoLiberal Post at renaldocmckenzie.com. We have submitted this for publication to the Jamaica Gleaner and the Jacobins Magazine.
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