Catastrophe in Haiti: An unnatural disaster - Discussion and Forum

Submitted by hazaly on Tue, 01/19/2010 - 10:51am
in
Date: 
Thursday, January 21, 2010 - 7:00pm
Location : 
DC


Join us for a forum and discussion:

Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010 at 7pm
All Soul's Church - 1500 Harvard St. NW, Washington, DC (corner of 16th & Harvard)
Closest metro: Columbia Heights - Green and Yellow lines

The horror in Haiti is overwhelming. As many as 100,000 are dead and millions homeless or seeking emergency care after an earthquake struck the island-nation. But while the earthquake triggered this tragedy, the death tolls are not the result of a "natural disaster." A similar-sized quake hit San Francisco in 1989, killing 60, not 100,000. The difference is not only one of poverty. It's rooted in 200 years of the worst racism, exploitation and foreign military occupation-most recently at the hands of the Clinton and Bush administrations.

Haiti's elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristde, was overthrown twice with the support of the US. International financial institutions have enslaved Haiti with billions of dollars of debt. And the US government intervened militarily Haiti at will--even today sending 5,700 troops yet only 300 doctors.

We must raise funds and help the people of Haiti. But we must also ask how such a tragedy is produced and challenge the policies that worsen it - including the "shock doctrine" economic policies that will immiserate millions while enriching wealthy investors. Meanwhile, calls for the US government to cancel Haiti's debt, grant TPS (Temporary Protected Status) to Haitians as well as Haitians own demands for Aristide's return are growing in scope and urgency.

To donate: Visit www.haitiaction.net; or bring money Thursday night and donate then.

Sponsored by: All Souls Church, the International Socialist Organization, the Washington Peace Center, SOA Watch, the Institute for Policy Studies, and Africa Action

Endorsed by: Busboys and Poets, the African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation, the Hip Hop Caucus, the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), Pan African Roots and the A-APRP (GC)


For more information, or to endorse, call 202 276 1586 or email iso_district@yahoo.com