------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the April 15, 2004 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
LOS ANGELES: GREAT INTEREST IN NEW HAITI BOOK By Maggie Vascassenno Los Angeles "The Haitian Revolution is history's sole example of a successful slave uprising. It was a beacon of hope and inspiration to enslaved Africans in the U.S. and elsewhere. This made the Haitian Revolution and successive Haitian governments repeated targets of U.S. intervention, the latest being the overthrow--the second since 1991-- of the Aristide administration," stated Pat Chin. A co-editor of the book, "Haiti, a Slave Revolution: 200 Years After 1804," Chin brought the truth about the U.S. coup in Haiti to four meetings and book signings in Los Angeles this past weekend. "Haiti, a Slave Revo lution" was published by the Inter na tional Action Center and can be ordered through leftbooks.com. The kick-off event was held in South Central Los Angeles on April 3 at the Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research. Chin was joined by Pierre Labossiere of Oakland, Calif., founder of the Haiti Action Committee there, and Pierre-Antoine Lovinsky, a psychologist and victims' advocate from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. A surprise appearance and opening talk by Rep. Maxine Waters at Saturday's event received thunderous applause and a standing ovation from the overflow audience. The speakers on the panel saluted the courage of Congressmember Waters for the crucial role she has played in defense of President Jean- Bertrand Aristide and in getting the truth about the U.S.-backed coup in Haiti to the people of Southern Cali for nia and the U.S. Labossiere and Lovinsky, both Haitians, stres sed the urgent need for solidarity. "Our solidarity can beat the bosses'solidarity--truth always wins out," stated Labos siere. Muna Coobtee of the Interna tional Action Center chaired the afternoon event. >From the library Chin went to EsoWon Books, located in the African American community. The predominantly Black audience was deeply cognizant of the racist nature of the coup and the bicentennial of the slave revolution that established an independent and free Haiti. Chin concluded her presentation by reading an excerpt from her chapter in the book, "Haiti needs reparations, not sanctions." On April 4 Chin spoke at a progressive Westside bookstore named Mid night Special. Jefferson Azevedo of the IAC chaired the event. Chin then spoke at Imix Books, located in High land Park on the east side of Los Angeles. Imix is a relatively new bookstore that focuses on the struggles of the Latino/a peoples of the Americas. At all the meetings and book signings many people bought the book, and signed up with the International Action Center to help build and participate in future actions in solidarity with Haiti. - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe wwnews- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
