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. The force has been under intense scrutiny for years and is widely blamed for a massive cholera outbreak likely introduced by a U.N. peacekeeping battalion from Nepal. Protesters who oppose the mission have held running battles with authorities in the streets of Haiti and the country's Senate has called for its removal.

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."

US Marshals step up hunt for murder suspect Janvier

Jean Weevens Janvier: Wanted for murder of Emile sisters in 2011.US Marshals are teaming up with Boston Police to find a Dorchester man who has been on the run since he allegedly murdered two sisters in their Harlem Street apartment in Nov. 2011. The United States Marshals Service is offering a reward for tips that will lead to the capture and successful prosecution of 32 year-old Jean Weevens Janvier, a naturalized US citizen who was born in Haiti and who is the only suspect in the killings of Stephanie and Judith Emile. Janvier was indicted in the double murder by a Suffolk County Grand Jury last April. Prosecutors said that Janvier had been in a previous romantic relationship with Stephanie Emile, 21, who was found shot to death alongside her sister, Judith, 23, in their Harlem Street apartment on Nov. 14, 2011. When police responded, a toddler was found in the apartment with the two deceased sisters.

Linda Dorcena Forry wins historic victory in State Senate primary

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State Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry of Dorchester hardly flinched in the mid-evening hours of Tuesday as The Boston Globe and the Associated Press were reporting that state Rep. Nick Collins, her opponent from South Boston, would win the Democratic nomination in the special election to represent the First Suffolk District in the state Senate. Despite those calls by the local media, all the ballots in 77 precincts across South Boston, Dorchester, Mattapan, and parts of Hyde Park had not yet been counted, and when the unofficial results were posted a few hours later, it was Dorcena Forry who was on top, by 378 votes out of 21,730 cast. See a precinct-by-precinct breakdown of the election returns (PDF).

Boston Haitian woman among those hurt in marathon bombings

A 30 year-old Mattapan mother is among the victims recovering from a terrible injury sustained in Monday's terror attack on Boylston Street. Marie Daniel lost her leg when one of two explosions tore through a crowd of innocents standing near the finish line. Her husband, Richardson Daniel, said that she is now in stable condition thanks to heroic work of first responders and caregivers at Massachusetts General Hospital, who saved her life.

Boston Haitian Reporter