26854: Hermantin(News)Protest calls for the release of Haitian priest from jail (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Sun Sentinel

Protest calls for the release of Haitian priest from jail




By Kevin Smith
Staff Writer

December 11, 2005



Miami · Because one man in Haiti cannot walk free, more than 1,000 marched 
through the streets of Miami on Saturday afternoon.

Chanting in both English and Creole, supporters of jailed priest the Rev. 
Gerard Jean-Juste walked from the Torch of Friendship to the Claude Pepper 
Federal Building and back calling for his release. The signs they carried 
described Jean-Juste as Haiti's Martin Luther King Jr.

"This is a very big issue," said Yves Lucien of Miami. "Father Jean-Juste was 
the one taking care of the poor kids in Haiti. Putting him in jail means they 
aren't eating, and to hold him without charges is just wrong."

Jean-Juste's incarceration, which began with his arrest in July, stems from his 
alleged connection to the kidnapping and murder of a Haitian journalist, but he 
has not been charged with any crime. As a member of the political party of 
deposed Haitian president Jean Bertrand Aristide, Jean-Juste was considered a 
possible nominee in the nation's oft-delayed presidential election, now 
scheduled for next month.

"He's worked hard for the Haitian community, both in here and in Haiti," said 
Yves Leclaire of Miami, who walked with a son on either side. "He's been there 
every day for Haitians, the poor especially. He's got a mission, and it's to 
help people."

The 80-minute march, which included about 20 minutes of singing and chanting 
outside the federal building, took place beneath signs bearing Jean-Juste's 
picture and Haitian flags of all sizes.

One sign read "President Bush: Free Fr. Jean-Juste," and Marie Pubien of 
Hollywood said Saturday's march was intended to send a message not to the 
island nation to the south, but to this nation's Capitol to the north.

"Washington has to do something about this," she said. "George Bush has the 
power to pick up the phone and have all those people put out of jail."

While some in the crowd agreed with Pubien, others thought it was up to 
government officials in Haiti.

"The pressure really needs to be felt by those responsible for Father 
Jean-Juste being in jail," said Jean Monestime, a friend of the priest's and a 
former North Miami city councilman. "They can make the decision to free him. 
There is a thirst in the Haitian community for freedom, and when we see that 
someone of the caliber of Father Jean-Juste is in jail for nothing, we all see 
that freedom isn't there. They should charge him or they should free him, and 
they haven't done either."

Monestime was one of several speakers after the march, imploring those gathered 
to be tireless in calling for freedom for Jean-Juste and all of Haiti's 
political prisoners. There was no guarantee the passion of those gathered would 
be enough to free their friend, but passion was their only weapon, one man 
said, and they were prepared to use it.

"If we could, we'd go to the jail and take him," said Lucien. "But we can't, so 
we stand up here for what is right."

Kevin Smith can be reached at kssmith@sun-sentinel.com or 954-572-2009.


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