Lovinsky case continues to increase in profile

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Join Danny Glover, Martin Sheen, Ron Kovic and others in a 24 Hour Fast for the safe return of Haitian human rights activist Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine Tuesday, Nov. 13 gather at 10:30am outside the Brazilian Consulate 8484 Wilshire Blvd (at La Cienega), Beverly Hills Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, the internationally respected Haitian human rights activist, disappeared in Haiti on the evening of 12 August. He is an extraordinary grassroots organizer beloved by his community, and a leading advocate for the poor, including street children, teenage mothers and victims of torture. Please urge the Brazilian government which plays a key role as head of the UN forces responsible for law and order in Haiti since the 2004 coup, as well as the governments of the US and Canada which are also key figures, to do all in their power, including making resources available to ensure Lovinsky's immediate and safe release to his family and the community who need him.

We all owe a great debt to the Haitian people. Haiti holds a special place in the hearts of many. As the first Black republic, Haiti led the way for the emancipation of those enslaved everywhere; it was a refuge for Simon Bolivar, the liberator of Latin America, and Haitian troops fought alongside him. The spirited and principled determination of Haitian people and their refusal to bend to the powerful forces which have tried to keep them down, have been and continue to be an inspiration throughout the world but especially to those of us who work to defend human rights. Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine personifies the Haitian spirit which refuses to submit despite all the odds.

WHAT YOU CAN DO The Haitian grassroots has called for worldwide actions to press for Lovinsky's release. You can answer their call by:

• Joining to initiate the fast outside the Brazilian Consulate. Commit to fast on Nov. 13, for all 24 hours or whatever part of the day you can. Ask your friends to join you.
• Coming out to support the call for Lovinsky's safe return whether you are fasting or not.
• Signing the petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/august/petition.html, circulating it in your networks
• Contacting your local press or media to tell them about this campaign to bring Lovinsky back, or calling a fast or vigil where you are

Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine is co-founder of Fondasyon Trant Septanm, an organization formed by family members and others concerned about the victims of the 1991 coup in Haiti. Similar to the work of internationally renowned Mothers of the Disappeared in Central and South America, for over a decade, the September 30th Foundation held weekly vigils demanding justice for victims of human rights violations and for the release of political prisoners. Lovinsky was co-founder of Fondasyon Kore Timoun Yo (Foundation for the Support of Children) for young street children in Port au Prince, FAM (Foyer pour Adolescentes M=E8res), a center for teenage mothers, and Map Viv ("I Live"), a program designed to give medical and psychological aid to the victims of the 1991 coup. His present community-based human rights organization Fondasyon Trant Septnm grew out of the work of those earlier efforts.

Coordinated by the Ad Hoc Working Group on Haiti which includes: ANSWER Coalition, CISPES/LA, Coalition in Solidarity with Haiti, Global Women's Strike/LA, International Action Center, and the Pan African Activist Coalition.

For info call 323-276-9833; email: la@crossroadswomen.net. websites: www.haitisolidarity.net; www.HaitiAction.net; www.globalwomenstrike.net