International rolling  fast & vigil
  for the safe return by Christmas of
Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine
human rights activist
disappeared in Haiti on 12 August 2007
 

Every Wednesday 5-6 pm

Outside the Brazilian Embassy

32 Green Street, London W1K 7AT
Call 020 74822496 to confirm!

Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine is a much loved and respected advocate for the poor. He is a co-founder of Fondasyon Trant Septanm, an organisation for the families of the victims of the 1991 coup – the first against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Like the Mothers of the Disappeared in Central and South America, they held weekly vigils demanding justice for victims of human rights violations and the release of political prisoners. Lovinsky is also co-founder of Fondasyon Kore Timoun Yo for young street children in Port au Prince, FAM a centre for teenage mothers, and Map Viv (“I Live”) which gives medical support to the victims of the 1991 coup.

We owe a great debt to the Haitian people.  As the first Black republic, Haiti led the way for the emancipation of slaves everywhere; it was a refuge for Simon Bolivar, the liberator of South America, and Haitian troops fought alongside him.  The spirited and principled determination of the Haitian people and their refusal to bend to the powerful forces which have tried to keep them down with coups and dictatorships, continues to be an inspiration throughout the world, especially to those of us who work to defend human rights.

A petition for Lovinsky has been signed by over 1500 organisations and public figures, including actor/activist Danny Glover, actor Martin Sheen, writer George Lamming, playwright John Arden, former Labour Minister Tony Benn, John McDonnell MP, journalist Rickey Singh, Madaraka Nyerere son of the late Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere, the Walter Rodney Commemorative Committee and many more.  It is available in French, Italian and Spanish, and circulating widely across Europe, Africa and Latin America.  Letters have been delivered to the Haitian government, the US and Brazilian Embassies and the Canadian High Commission.

A message from his children Stéphane and Olivier Pierre-Antoine.   “We ask you, who probably are fathers and mothers, to listen to the words of two teenagers who crave the presence of their father.  Listen well to this cry of pain and anguish that comes directly from our heart.  It is not only our father that we miss, we are also deprived of our dear friend, of our counsellor and of our spiritual guide.  We ask the authorities and the Haitian people to do all that is in their power to free our dad.  We particularly ask his abductors to grant us the return of our daddy who is so dear to us.”

u Why hold the fast outside the Brazilian Embassy?  The Brazilian government heads the UN forces which have had the responsibility for law and order in Haiti since President Aristide was forced to leave Haiti in 2004.  The US and Canada are also key figures.  We are urging them to do all in their power, including making resources available, to ensure Lovinsky’s immediate and safe release.

u What is a rolling fast?  A rolling fast allows people to fast for a number of hours during a 24 hour period.  You can participate by either fasting for the entire time or commit to a certain number of hours.  Fasters will overlap in order to cover the 24 hour period.  The first fast was held in Los Angeles on 13 November. Actor/activist Danny Glover and many others participated.

u How do I sign up to take part in the rolling fast?  Fill out the form below on your commitment to fast and email or fax it to us.  If you can come to the fast outside the Embassy at 5pm please let us know.

u What if I want to fast but can’t get to the fast site?  Fill out the form below and email or fax it to us.  If you choose, your name can be included in the “bring Lovinsky home” fasters list which will be read at the fast vigil outside the Brazilian Embassy.  All fasters on or off site are asked to wear a sticker or a badge, available from us.  Please let others know why you’re wearing it. 

u What if I can’t fast, what can I do?  Come out to the Embassy – support the call for Lovinsky’s release and support the fasters.  Wear a sticker or badge on fast day.  Sign and circulate the petition.

u Where do I find the online petition?  Go to http://www.petitiononline.com/august/petition.html. 

 

u Can my organisation &/or religious network endorse this action?  Yes! You can fax or email the form below, or call us at 020-7482 2496.

 For more info email womenstrike8m@server101.com or call 020-7482 2496 
www.globalwomenstrike.net    www.haitisolidarity.net    www.HaitiAction.net

q       I will be fasting outside the Brazilian Embassy on ______ __

Name_______________________________________________

I can participate from ____to____

Email_____________________________________________________

phone_____________________

q       I can’t be there but I will be fasting

Name _____________________________________ Include my name in the ‘fasters list’   Yes q   No q 

Email _______________________________________

phone ______________________________________

q       My organisation/religious network endorses this action

 

Organisation _________________________________

Email _______________________________________

Please email: womenstrike8m@server101.com or fax to 020-7209 4761