Message of solidarity to the courageous people of Haiti

National Statement

January 20, 2010

January 20, 2010 – The mass and democratic organizations of Filipino
Canadian workers, women and youth of Kapit-Bisig Centre, Magkaisa
Centre and Kalayaan Centre extend our warmest feelings of solidarity
and support to the Haitian people and their families who have been
affected by the recent earthquake that devastated the entire nation
last January 12, 2010.

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that killed more than 100,000 Haitians,
thousands injured and homeless, have left the entire nation grappling
with the loss of their loved ones and in picking up the pieces in the
process of rebuilding a nation. While we witness the tremendous
damages and impacts unravel as a result of this calamity, we also
witness the long-term impacts of the devastation brought upon to a
nation that has been battered by years of U.S. imperialist domination.
The ongoing implementation of the anti-people neo-liberal economic
policies perpetuated by the United States continues to batter Haiti,
leaving it to be “poorest country in the western hemisphere.”

As a community that shares similar struggles with the Haiti people
against imperialism, the forced migration of Filipinos is also a
result of the intensifying U.S. intervention in the socio-political
and economic affairs of the Philippines. As such, progressive
Filipino-Canadians heighten its fight to expose and oppose imperialism
in all its forms and its attacks on Third World peoples and nations.

Thus, while international aid pours into Haiti for relief, recovery
and rehabilitation, we also forge genuine international solidarity
with the Haitian people in their struggle for democratization as a
step towards the rebuilding of Haiti as a nation and as a people. We
oppose and are critical of the immediate deployment of over 10,000
U.S. military troops as part of the U.S. “relief efforts.” Such is
a clear attempt of the U.S. to further expand military intervention
and control towards the re-colonization of Haiti.

As we continue to learn about the ongoing struggles that Haitians
face, we also learn of the long history of resistance of its people
against slavery, colonialism and imperialism. In the spirit of
international solidarity, we extend our unconditional support to the
people of Haiti, particularly to the Haitian community in Canada. We
support their efforts to reunite with members of their family in
Canada and vow to continue to raise the Canadian people’s awareness
about the root causes of people’s common struggles all over the
world.

Long live international solidarity! Victory to the people of Haiti!

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For information, contact:

Cecilia Diocson, 514-678-3901

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