Presidential Candidate Jude Celestin Says He May Not Compete in Runoff
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NOV. 27, 2015
The second-place finisher in the first round of Haiti’s presidential voting, Jude Célestin, said Friday that “no decision has been made” about whether he will take part in the scheduled Dec. 27 runoff against Jovenel Moïse, the candidate backed by the government. Mr. Célestin and seven other presidential candidates formed a coalition after asserting that the October elections and ballot-counting process were too problematic to be credible.
Evidence of massive frauds
A team of U.S.-based lawyers who witnessed last month’s Haitian elections say there is mounting evidence showing a clear pattern of systemic fraud, voter confusion and intimidation, and in some areas disenfranchisement.
The report paints a grim picture of a flawed, chaotic electoral process on Oct. 25. Not only were voting procedures inconsistently applied at poorly designed polling stations, the report notes, but the widespread use of observer and political party accreditation led to people voting multiple times and potentially accounts for as much as 60 percent of the 1.5 million votes cast.
“Without major corrective measures, these elections will represent a significant setback in Haiti’s long-struggle to consolidate democracy,” said the report based on the observations of a delegation of election monitors from the National Lawyers Guild and International Association of Democratic Lawyers Delegation.
The report’s release comes nearly a month after the vote to elect President Michel Martelly’s successor, and as the international community attempts to salvage the process amid growing and violent protest over allegations of fraud. Those accusations —political party monitors voting multiple times, ballot box stuffing and the manipulation of results at the vote Tabulation Center — have undermined many Haitians’ confidence in the announced results, despite international observers deeming them as acceptable. (Miami Herald)
Policemen injured
At least two policemen have been injured after clashes erupted between opposition supporters and police forces during a protest against presidential election results in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
One of the policemen was wounded after a protester opened fire, while the other was injured by demonstrators throwing rocks during the gathering on Tuesday.
The violence came as supporters of different opposition groups gathered to protest the results of the first round of the country’s presidential elections, which were released on Monday by the Haitian Provisional Electoral Council.
On November 24, the electoral commission said that Jovenel Moise, who is backed by the ruling party, and opposition candidate, Jude Celestin, had come out as the two top winners of the first round of the presidential election held on October 25.
The commission added that Moise had won 32.8 percent of the votes, while Celestin gained 25.3 percent.
THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY ENJOYED A THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION AT THE CARIBBEAN MARKET PLACE
By: Elsie Etheart
Miami, November 26th 2015 – Miami celebrated Thanksgiving, along with the rest of the county, which celebrates this day every year on the fourth Thursday of November, as a day set aside to thank God for all of the blessings he has granted.
The Haitian community also had its Thanksgiving meal.
On the menu was the traditional Turkey and all of the fixings, including: mashed potato, and sweet potatoes casseroles. However, the meal had a Haitian twist – the turkey was in a Créole sauce; there was a tasso of turkey, and let’s not forget the traditional "Rice and beans.”
This year, the event did not take place at the American Legion Park, as it had in the past. Instead, it was right in the heart of Little Haiti at the Caribbean Market Place. The magnificent Gingerbread construction is hardly used, due to a lack of vendors who are able to establish themselves there, given the difficult economic conditions in the Haitian community.
So the festivities this year were held at this pleasant location on Northeast Second Avenue, adjacent to the Little Haiti Cultural Center.
The creator, of this event, Emeline Alexis Shulz, and her family celebrated their ninth edition this year, with the food being prepared by renowned Haitian chef, Fifi, and presented by servers.
One month before Thanksgiving, Emeline Alexis went on Haitian radio to promote the event, which has a special theme every year. “Victory” was the theme adopted for this year. The musical animation was provided by the group Gospel Rèv La, which came from Haiti.
About 500 people were in attendance in the large room at the Market Place, where round tables were set with white tablecloth and chairs.
About sixty leaders from the Haitian community were present, along with local and state elected officials, as well as doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other the community leaders all dressed in big white aprons inscribed with “Haitian Community Thanksgiving Brunch” and traditional chef’s hats.
They took their place on one side of the buffet table, whereas the community members in a tight line, with their plates in hand, waited to be served. The organization of the event was impeccable. There was no pushing or shoving and no raised voices. For somebody just coming from Haiti such as myself, it was impressive!
A breakfast was also served with Soup Joumou, pâté, chocolate and orange juice earlier in the day. The first part of the program was spiritual, with a catholic priest and a Haitian Pastor speaking to the audience about the necessity to give grace and thank God for the blessings received.
The second part included liturgical dances, theatrical skits, songs, and let’s not forget the traditional jokes which made the audience roar.
Then the meal was served to the audience, while about 60 public servants hurried to deliver the brunch to home-bound citizens at hospitals or at their homes.
The headliner of the day was her majesty the turkey, “KODIN.” Sadly, she was in a big iron cage, as she waited to be raffled off and eventually beheaded by her new owner. The winner of the raffle, a joyful lady, happily left with her turkey in arms.
This year there was no wild turkey chase by the audience, the space did not allow it. Instead, there was a competition for the best turkey imitation. There was also a potato sack race, where participants had to jump over huge pumpkins, causing many falls. Those racing had to quickly get back up and continue to race, but the audience was in stiches from laughter.
Organizing such an event, has become a tradition for Emeline Alexis Schulz who is assisted by her husband Klaus, his brothers and sisters, along with numerous friends and acquaintances who all donate for the celebration. The City of Miami also contributes by providing the facility, the cleaning crew, which must put back the place to its original state prior to the party, as well as the security.
The organizers would like to express their gratitude to all those who made this year’s Thanksgiving Brunch a huge success including:
- City of Miami District 5: Keon HardemonI
- Paola Pierre (HACOF)
- Sandy Dorsainvile: Executive Director Little Haiti Cultural Center
- Publix (Aventual)
- Pasteur Joanen Floreal AKA Pastor Fanfan: Shalom Community Church North Miami
- Radio 1580am
- Build A Better Tomorrow
- Radio 1700 am
- Nuriyo Island TV
- Gabrielle Hyacinth
- Marie Etienne, DNP
- Dr .Flore Lindor-Latortue
- Marie Paule Woodson AEDAP
- Yolaine Catering (Fifi)
- Christophe Simeon
- Jan Mapou