Report on Sept.30 Haiti Solidarity Actions

1. San Francisco sit-in -- 18 arrested as Haiti solidarity activists block entrances to Federal Bldg.

A crowd of over 75 people rallied at 8:00 a.m. Friday at the Federal Building. Many sat down and blocked entrances to the building, chanting and singing -- in a protest against the US government's role in the February 29, 2004 coup d'etat and continued US backing for the coup regime, and for massacres and repression in Haiti.

At one point all the entrances to the Federal Building were blocked. Eighteen were arrested by federal police; they were released later in the day and ordered to appear in court on charges of "failure to obey lawful directions of federal police."

2. Washington DC protest outside Haitian Embassy -- Large photos of coup victims cause traffic jams

A lively group of demonstrators gathered in front of the Haitian Embassy today as part of the 44 city protest comemorating the 14th anniversary of the 1991 coup d'etat against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Haiti's illegal Ambassador, Raymond Joseph, was just arriving as we approached the front of the embassy. We greeted him with a myriad of chants and he disappeared inside. Later we delivered to the embassy a copy of the
International Declaration of Solidarity with the People of Haiti.

We obtained numerous graphic photos of Haitian victims of both the Haitian National Police and the UN "peacekeeping" troops (our thanks to Katharine Kean) and displayed them during our protest. The response was
overwhelming. Cars slowed down, oven causing traffic jams, to look at the pictures and read our signs. Motorists blew their horns in support for nearly three hours. - Washington Report by Shirley Pate

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