Lawyer with Boston ties says government is persecuting him

PORT-AU-PRINCE— A prominent Haitian lawyer and his law firm say he's being persecuted for work that is politically at odds with the government of President Michel Martelly. Attorney Mario Joseph says he has been subjected to an escalating series of menacing phone calls, harassment and intimidation over the past year. Joseph has worked closely with the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, a non-profit organization located in South Boston.

Several thousand people protest Martelly government

PORT-AU-PRINCE (AP)— Several thousand people poured into the streets of Haiti's capital on Sunday to protest the government of President Michel Martelly. It was among the biggest demonstrations this year in Port-au-Prince against the first-time leader as he tries to rebuild the impoverished nation following a powerful 2010 earthquake that displaced more than a million people and destroyed thousands of homes.

U.S. extends TPS status for Haitians for 18 months

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said today that it has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians for an additional 18 months, the second such extension made since the program went into effect in the days following the Jan. 2010 earthquake. The extension of TPS for Haiti will begin Jan. 23, 2013, and end July 22, 2014. Secretary Janet Napolitano Napolitano said the government would also extend the suspension of certain requirements for F-1 non-immigrant Haitian students. More from the DHS press release follows:

Fr. Joy celebrates 40 years in priesthood

Fr. Bill Joy celebrates 40 years as priestFr. Bill Joy, pastor of St. Angela and St. Matthew parishes celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving for 40 years of being a priest on Sept. 16 at St. Angela's and this past Sunday at St. Matthew's. His sister, Grace and her husband Tom Reynolds attended. Both Fr. Joy and his sister grew up in St. Matthew's and attended the parish grammar school. Photo by Patrick O'Connor

Forry’s Breakfast Series lauds ‘renaissance’ in Mattapan

State and city officials, community leaders and residents gathered at the Mattapan branch of the Boston Public Library for the fifth in a series of Mattapan Breakfast Series meetings on Tuesday morning. Hosted by state Rep. Linda Forry, the meeting focused on the recent rejuvenation of one of the city’s most misunderstood neighborhoods.

Fidel gives Konpa fans a reason to invest in their future

FidelFidel has made its official entry as one of the industry’s ambitious new bands. The group’s first release, “Avel li Fel” boasts a modest 10 original compositions and is an independent release. Much of the buzz around Fidel stems from the adventures or misadventures of lead singer Dabenz Chery. Dabenz honed his pipes as a feature of some of the industry’s better known bands including the likes of Zenglen, System and the short-lived Canada based Oxygen to name a few. The events that led to his association and eventual disassociation from the better known among the groups are fodder that now serves the curiosity factor that may lead to sales and decent concert turn-outs in the coming months. Beyond the Dabenz factor, a charismatic figure like Patrick Appollon (Zin’s former drummer) being in the official line up is sure to help the expansion of the Fidel’s fan base.

Loving Freedom, Loving Haiti, Repairing the Environment

Patrick SylvainChildhood treks, I conjure up memories of happiness as I experienced the countryside at times with my father, and at other times with my older cousin, who were both too happy to replenish themselves with fresh air while also taking time to meditate under their own favorite trees, or simply contemplating nature. They, separately, yet at around the same time, made me appreciate a green environment. Although they are both departed from my existence, they nevertheless are still implanted in my memory. Just like my father or my cousin, the trees that imprinted my psyche with awe for a reverence of nature are no longer present on a vast part of the land that we once trekked. My eyes captured the giant presence of silk-cotton trees, fig trees and logwood trees. The trees of my childhood can only be seen when I travel to other countries like, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Saint Lucia. Once there, I’m always nostalgic for what we once had in abundance.

Women build empowerment through AFAB

The year is 2000 and several members of AFAB, the Association of Haitian Women in Boston, are on-air at a local radio station, talking about domestic violence. The women encourage listeners of the Haitian program to participate in an upcoming domestic violence prevention forum organized by AFAB and several other groups.

Free naturalization clinic at Brockton High

BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) — Dozens of trained volunteers are set to help qualified immigrants fill all the paperwork required to become U.S. citizens during a free citizenship clinic in Brockton. The event scheduled for Sept. 22 at the Brockton High School is part of the "Become a Citizen Now! Massachusetts'' program. The national initiative seeks to help legal immigrants become U.S. citizens. The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition says trained immigration specialists and interpreters will guide applicants through the 10-page application form for naturalization.

UN: Cholera spike seen in Isaac's wake

PORT-AU-PRINCE— (AP) The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti says it has seen a "slight rise'' in the number of cholera cases following the recent passage of Tropical Storm Isaac. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a bulletin Saturday that an average of 180 new cases of cholera a day were reported between August 24 and 29, during the period the storm struck. There was an average of 78 new cases a day reported in the full week before the storm.

Boston Haitian Reporter