Rally for Haiti In London December 16th

Rally for Haiti Support Haiti’s Day of Action to stop the “electoral coup”! Wednesday 16 December 12.30-2pm London: outside US Embassy, 24 Grosvenor Square W1A 2LQ(nr Marble Arch tube) Called by Global Women Strike, Caribbean Labour Solidarity and Women of Colour GWS Please click here for info and to let us know you’re coming   Stop repression against tens of thousands fighting for their vote to count!   On 16 December the people of Haiti are marking the 25th anniversary of their first democratically elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the liberation theology priest they lovingly call Titid.   This is an important date, especially because Haiti is the midst of elections – parliamentary, then presidential, the final round scheduled for 27 December. But the elections, funded by the US to the tune of $30m, are being stolen and since August tens of thousands of people have repeatedly taken to the streets to protest an “electoral coup”. See video here. The police have responded with tear gas and bullets, killing and injuring many people.   For the first time since 2004, when a US coup removed President Aristide, his party Fanmi Lavalas has been allowed on the ballot; its candidate, Maryse Narcissi, a woman personally endorsed by him. But the election has been marred with state violence and fraud.  See feature in the Morning Star Haiti: Massive Electoral Fraud Ignored, and more evidence here.    Maxine Waters, member of the US Congressional Black Caucus and longstanding supporter of Haiti, wrote to Secretary of State John Kerry that “Many are calling for the resignation of the current CEP [Provisional Electoral Council] and the annulment of the entire first round.” She was ignored and on 25 October the second round went ahead. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) electoral observation mission reported “intimidation” and “anomalies”.   A review demanded by Narcisse confirmed irregularities in 98% of the tally sheets re-examined reflecting “massive acts of fraud aimed at changing the results of the elections” for the benefit of Jovenel Moise – the candidate backed by outgoing President Martelly and his US sponsors. Any candidate who benefits from fraud can be expelled, but the CEP has refused to disqualify Moise.   Margaret Prescod, journalist and co-ordinator of Women of Colour Global Women’s Strike, was part of a grassroots fact finding delegation organised by Haiti Action Committee. Her show, Sojourner Truth (KPFK Pacifica radio), has reported on the fraud and how grassroots people are organising against it.   The US and Martelly are determined to push ahead with this selection. But the people of Haiti are determined to stop them. International actions will be held in the US and other countries.   For more information visit facebook event.   Caribbean Labour Solidarity        info@cls-uk.org.uk   Global Women’s Strike                 Women of Colour GWS gws@globalwomenstrike.net       womenofcolour@globalwomenstrike.net