[news] Porto Allegre Declaration on Haiti

[Resist!ca]

Launched at the World Social Forum January 26-31, 2005 WHEREAS, Haiti became the first Black Republic in 1804 when its enslaved people defeated Napoleon's army, the most powerful of its day, and abolished slavery. Ever since, Haiti has stood for Black liberation and the liberation of oppressed people everywhere. Haiti offered Simon Bolivar refuge, guns and other supplies, and led the way for the abolition of slavery throughout the Americas. The colonial powers have punished Haiti ever since: among other things the U.S. led a 60-year political boycott, and France forced Haiti to pay the modern equivalent of $21 billion U.S. for its slaveowners' losses, which led to a crippling debt and the world's first structural adjustment policy. From 1915-1934, the U.S. occupied Haiti, and an act of the U.S. Congress established the Haitian army;

URL: http://resist.ca/story/2005/1/31/144835/459