Haitian-American elected officials press State Department on cholera epidemic suit

Haitian-American elected officials are raising concerns that the United Nations, charged with peacekeeping mandate in Haiti, may try to prevent the nation’s cholera epidemic victims from taking the organization to court.

In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry and other Haitian-American elected officials urged the President Obama’s top diplomat to support their efforts to take the U.N. to court.

Human rights lawyers will be honored for Haiti work

On Sunday, March 23rd, community activists will gather at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem to celebrate the 22nd annual Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice. The award will be presented to Mario Joseph and Brian Concannon, Jr. in recognition of their work to promote human rights in Haiti.

Senator Forry to host a 'breakfast of firsts' in South Boston

A year ago, she was in the thick of a special election to succeed Jack Hart in the state Senate. Now Linda Dorcena Forry, who eked out a win for the Senate seat, is in the middle of another campaign: Putting together the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast in South Boston.

Reinstatement of criminal case against Duvalier a momentous victory for Haitians

The Appellate Court decision last month to reinstate political violence crimes against former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier was a momentous victory for Haitians all over the world. The court courageously challenged the impunity of the justice system, but also applied international human rights law to protect poor people for the first time in Haiti’s history.

Senator Forry to keynote Independence Day gala in Randolph on Jan. 4

Haitian-Americans United, Inc. (H.A.U.) of Boston, Massachusetts and the General Consulate of Haiti in Boston announce the 13th Annual Haitian Independence Day Gala to be held on Saturday, January 4th, 2014 starting 7p.m. at Lombardo's Function Hall in Randolph, Mass.

For the past 12 years, H.A.U. has organized the Independence Day gala to celebrate the triumph and the impact of the 1791 Haitian Slave Revolution, honor Haiti's forefathers and commemorate the anniversary of the proclamation of Haiti's independence on January 1st, 1804. The gala has been held also to increase cultural awareness and community visibility, strengthen Haitian unity on common ground and educate Haitian-American Youth about their heritage.

In addition, this year's gala will be dedicated to honor the First Massachusetts Haitian-American State Senator, our keynote Speaker Linda Dorcena Forry for her steady leadership in the area of business development, education and immigration issues; and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino for his commitment to the well-being and the progress of Haitian-Americans as well as making Boston a welcoming city for immigrants in general.

Online Auction to Raise Money for Boston-based Haitian institute

Thanks to a group of generous Boston-based artists, the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH) will hold an online Haitian art auction beginning January 10, 2014.

The Andrew Square-based IJDH helps individual Haitians enforce their basic rights—in the courts, in police stations, and on the streets—in ways that force the justice system to work better for all Haitians. The featured artists all hail from Haiti and include Boston Haitian artists Charlot Lucien, Colette Brésilla, Renold Laurent, and Fritz Duchiene. The auction also features a self-portrait by up-and-coming artist, Mathieu Jeanbaptiste.

Casino partners plan Sept. 10 vendors’ forum in Roxbury

East Boston is in the pole position when it comes to reaping jobs and vendor contracts from a proposed resort casino at Suffolk Downs. But the partners behind the project are starting to reach out to Boston’s other neighborhoods as well— beginning with a Sept. 10 “business partnership forum” at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury.

UN chief proposes reduction in force

UNITED NATIONS — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recommended a 15 percent reduction in the number of U.N. troops in Haiti on Tuesday and an examination of whether the beleaguered peacekeeping operation remains the best way to support to the impoverished Caribbean nation.

Erick Jean Center for the Arts to be dedicated on Saturday

On Saturday, the Dorchester Arts Collaborative (DAC) welcomes the public beginning at 11 a.m. to the daylong grand opening of the Erick Jean Center for the Arts. The EJCA is a 1200 sq. ft multifunctional art facility across the street from the new Four Corners/Geneva train station, in the heart of Four Corners. DAC held a “soft” preview opening of the space in mid-February.

Linda Dorcena Forry sworn in as State Senator

Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry, introduced by Senate President Therese Murray as "another Dorchester girl," joined the Upper Chamber just after 2 p.m. Thursday after being sworn in by Gov. Deval Patrick.

"There is work we are going to do together," a jubilant Dorcena Forry said in remarks from the Senate rostrum.

Dorcena Forry called for her colleagues to work together and to rise above politics and campaigning, and described Murray, a Plymouth Democrat with Dorchester roots, as "an inspiration to me."

Boston Haitian Reporter