Haiti

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley was among a group of Democratic leaders, advocates and heads of Haitian-led organizations calling for U.S. elected officials during an April 11 press call to take “critical action” in addressing the escalating humanitarian crisis in Haiti.

In the late 1980s, a tense political situation in his home country of Haiti left visual artist Charlot Lucien with little hope for his future. He was in his mid-20s at the time and involved in political cartooning at a moment when the country’s leaders scorned political expression through media. So, he left.

For Patrick Sylvain, Haiti’s current crisis was inevitable. But that doesn’t erase the sorrow he has felt while watching gangs take over the country and the international community left at a loss for action.

The Boston Pan African Forum and the National Network on Cuba joined together Oct. 13 for a conference at UMass Boston on Cuba, Haiti and the wider Caribbean.

Local Haitian community leaders have expressed mixed feelings about a new armed peacekeeping force slated to be sent to Haiti and led by Kenya.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called on the Dominican Republic to cease forced deportations of Haitian migrants and people of Haitian ancestry amid a growing human rights crisis in Haiti.

Visitors to Bow Market in Somerville’s Union Square can now spot the vibrant colors and chic silhouettes of local designer Joelle Fontaine in the windows. Fontaine opened the first brick-and-mortar shop for her brand Kréyol at the end of May and has quickly become a part of the local business marketplace.

Contemporary and Haitian fusion dance troupe Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) will debut a powerful new piece, “Traka,” at the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston on May 13 and 14. Presented by Global Arts Live, “Traka” explores trauma and the healing power of movement through the lens of Haitian history.

Following the announcement of a federal plan to accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, local leaders and organizations have voiced support for the proposed action, while also noting perceived inequities between the treatment of Ukrainian refugees in comparison with the treatment of migrants from predominantly non-white countries and hoping that the action can jumpstart change in the U.S. migration system.

Massachusetts officials moved to provide aid to Haitian migrants in a $4 billion federal COVID-19 relief funding spending bill signed by Governor Charlie Baker Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer angrily said the brutal treatment of Haitian asylum seekers defies common decency. A chorus of Democrats chimed in and called the Border Patrol horseback riding whipping and assaulting of the Haitians much worse. All demanded that the Biden Administration cease and desist the deportation of the asylum-seekers.

Activists and members of the Haitian diaspora gathered Friday in Boston to protest the Biden administration’s recent expulsion of Haitian migrants at the southern U.S. border.