Haitian-American Network to Hold Town Meeting in New York City on February 23, 1997

Proceedings will be broadcast live on WLIB

Building on the success and excitement generated after the first conference held to establish the Haitian-American Community Action Network, organizers plan to hold a town meeting on February 23, 1997. The forum will be held at St. Jerome's Church, located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, which has become home to a large number of Haitian immigrants. Presentations and discussions will be carried out in Kreyòl to give Haitians and Haitian-Americans as much latitude as possible to voice their concerns on issues ranging from the current immigration and welfare reform bills, and its impact on their lives, to the upcoming local and municipal election. Successful Haitians will be celebrated. The event will be broadcast live on WLIB's Moman Kreyòl, (1190 AM) and will radio listeners to join the discussion, voice their opinions and pose questions.

The town meeting follows recommendations made by the participants during the workshops held October 25, 26 Conference at NYU. At the conference about 300 Haitians, Haitian-Americans, and others interested in the welfare of descendants of Haiti, came from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Chicago, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Florida to discuss their concerns. They made specific recommendations regarding the areas and issues the Network should address. This forum provides an opportunity for us to "cross our bridges together and not alone" as was said by Edwidge Danticat who opened the conference.

The conference was an effort to develop common ground, strengthen Haitian's ability to improve their communities and gain a more powerful voice in the decisions that affect their lives in the United States. Participants of that unprecedented national meeting endorsed the formation of a Haitian-American Community Action Network to promote their well-being. The Network's focus will be tied to improving lives and building community power by increasing the ability to access funds, capital, and services while struggling against the harsh immigration and welfare measures which recently became law in the United States.

The Conference Planning Committee sifted through the recommendations which mandated that:

• The Network link individual, Haitian organizations and policy makers in the USA. Establishing the foundations of a network of Haitian activists and associations that will resolutely advance the well-being of Haitians in America.
• Gather and distribute information on issues relevant to Haitian communities.
• Advocate on behalf of the Haitian community and formulate policies regarding issues relevant to Haitian communities identified by the network.

Moving another step towards creating a national agenda and in following with the success of the conference which was spearheaded by the National Coalition for Haitian Rights, the effort has mobilized dozens of Haitian-Americans and is building momentum across the United States. In Boston, South Jersey and Miami efforts are being made to join coalitions which will fall under the umbrella of the network. They are increasingly responding to the call of the conference organizers: let's prove that Haitian-Americans can have a strong voice in the national debate, let's build a Haitian-American Community Action Network!