Backing Haiti

Members of local clergy outraged by treatment of Haitians

By St. Clair Murraine
Outlook Staff Writer

Speaking at a prayer vigil that at times was solemn, a group of Tallahassee’s clergy expressed outrage that lawlessness is being allowed to take over the island nation of Haiti.

The pastors, who were joined by representatives from city and county government, specifically called on Gov. Ron DeSantis to retreat from his threat to transport fleeing Haitians to Martha’s Vineyard. They also want Congress to release $40 million that has been allocated to finance recovery efforts in the island with a population of more than 11 million.

“I stand with our sisters and brothers who speak to governor DeSantis, saying that we urge you to lead with humanity and to refrain from politicizing this crisis and threatening to relocate those who are seeking help in fleeing prosecution and needing a place of safety,” said Rev. Latricia Scriven, pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church. “In the face of adversity, we cannot turn our backs on those in need.”

Rev. RB Holmes, pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, called his peers to his church for the vigil, assembling in front of reporters last Tuesday. The Haiti crisis is the latest issue that Holmes has called out DeSantis on.

“Our neighbors are Black, blue, yellow, brown, rich, poor, Democrat, Republican, Independent,” Holmes said at the vigil.

Prior to that, he spoke directly to DeSantis.

“We are asking the state of Florida and the federal government to not deport Haitians who are running for their lives,” said Holmes, who is also president of the local chapter of the National Action Network. “We are asking Governor DeSantis not to politicize this crisis by sending distraught Haitians who are coming to Florida for a safe haven with the threat to send them to Martha’s Vineyard.”

DeSantis announced plans on March 13 to call out the National Guard and take other measures to stem to potential flow of Haitian to Florida.

“Given the circumstances in Haiti, I have directed the Division of Emergency Management, the Florida State Guard, and state law enforcement agencies to deploy over 250 additional officers and soldiers and over a dozen air and sea craft to the southern coast of Florida to protect our state,” DeSantis said in a news release. “… we cannot have illegal aliens coming to Florida.”

CapraCare, a New York-based humanitarian group made up of Haitians, estimates that 500 Haitians are dying daily. Recent videos have shown looting, shorting and burning in Port-au-Prince.

Rev. Julius McAllister, Jr., pastor at Bethel AME Church, prayed for change.

“Lord Jesus you know what they stand in need of. You know all of the turmoil, the predicament, the situation that they find themselves in,” McAllister prayed. “You know about the gangs that demoralize and ultimately take the humanity from a lot of people within the framework of that country, but God we are going to stand on the promises of Jesus knowing that you could do anything but fail.”

Gangs have been in control of 80 percent of the island since their takeover more than six months ago. However, governance has been lacking since former president Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in the summer of 2021.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry was the most recent person in control until he flee to Puerto Rico under pressure from gangs called the G-9 Alliance. Its notorious leader is Jimmy Cherizier, better known as “Barbecue.”

Since the gangs’ takeover, the island’s main airport in Port-au-Prince has been closed, although Cap Haitian International Airport is operating on the southeast side of the island.

“We must use our resources, influence and infrastructure to defeat the gangs that are devastating this great country and work to reopen the airport,” Holmes said in a statement. “We will urge officials to continue providing essential services. We shall not turn our backs on the people of Haiti.”

County Commissioner Carolyn Cummings appeal to other municipal governments around the state to embrace Haitians who are seeking refuge. Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott should also make a push to get aid to Haiti, she said.

She attended the vigil to “plea and make a clarion call to our governor and our lawmakers and community leaders to stand with our brothers and sisters in Haiti,” Cummings said. “We know they are suffering from physical and emotional cruelty. 

“As we stand here this morning, over 5,000 Haitians, including innocent women and children, have been killed and thousands more have been injured.”

City commissioners Dianne Williams Cox and Curtis Richardson also spoke at the vigil.

Since gaining its independence from France in 1804, Haiti has been a nation in sporadic turmoil. However, its turbulent history goes back to when the first enslaved Blacks were brought to the island.

That perspective wasn’t lost on attorney Mutaqee Akbar, president of the local chapter of the NAACP. He doubled down on the call for assisting residents of the island.

“Have some compassion for those who have nothing to do with what’s going on in Haiti,” Akbar said. “They are only trying to feed their family; just trying to get to safety.”

 Rev. Kimberleigh Buchanan, pastor of the United Church in Tallahassee, categorized what’s going on in Haiti as being no different from wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Those countries have been getting billions in assistance from the United State and the same should be extended to Haiti, she said.

“We are blessed in our country with extensive resource, Buchanan said. “A nation of immigrants, we are blessed with the commitment to offer our resources to people in the world who are suffering. We can do it.”