NOS ANCIENNES EDITIONS

FREE
Thanks to our
ADVERTISERS
SOUTH FLORIDA'S MOST READ HAITIAN NEWSPAPER
May 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 No. 362
www.lefloridien.com
Please support
Them!
PHONE: 305-610-7481
Haitian-American Judge Faces Election Challenge
A decision made last year could cost him his seat on the bench
MIAMI-DADE -- Usually incumbent judges are not opposed during
election time, but this year Fred
Seraphin, the first and only HaitianAmerican judge in Miami-Dade
County, is facing tough opposition in
the upcoming August election after a
two-and-half year term without a
challenger for his seat.
Miami criminal defense lawyer and
part-time traffic-hearing officer
Milena Abreu is running for the 11th
Florida Judicial Circuit Court seat
held by the incumbent since his historical appointment on October,
2001, by former Florida Governor
Jeff Bush.
County Judges are elected to office
for a 6-year term. This is the first
time the Haitian-American judge,
who ran unopposed in 2004 and
2010, has had to face opposition in
order to retain his seat. At first,
Seraphin served the unexpired term
of his predecessor, Judge Kevin M.
Emma, which ended in January 2005.
Mileba Abreu has already received
the support of many groups of
women as part of the Miami-Dade
County judicial system.
(ELECTION CHALLENGE P 6. )
Fred Seraphin, the first and only Haitian-American judge in Miami-Dade County, is facing
tough opposition in the upcoming August election. Photo: 11th Judicial Circuit Court
Pastor Jean Renelus, the Man Behind the Traditional
Haitian Flag Celebration in Miami
By Dessalines Ferdinand
School, Miami.
MIAMI -- When it comes to mentioning names of
those considered as builders of South Florida's
Haitian Community, more often the name of
Reverend Jean Renelus figures rarely on the list.
Unbelievably, he is one of those men and women of
the first generation of migrants who helped build the
established Haitian community in Miami for over 45
years.
Born in Port-au-Prince, Reverend Renelus set foot in
the USA on August 12, 1970, as he was part of a
group of young missionaries freshly graduated from
a Bible Institute in Haiti, to attend a seminar in Ohio.
As many young Haitians at that time were looking
for a better life, the then-25 years old pastor decided
to start a new life in America. From Ohio to a stop in
New York City, Renelus finally opted to live in
Miami to enjoy weather more closely similar to his
native land.
It is unfortunate to observe that most often many pioneers have been neglected and never get even minimal recognition for their participation in the foundation of this boat people community, which today provides a great number of well-known political and
successful entrepreneurial figures.
Pastor Jean Renelus, the man who installed the first Haitian
flag in the late 1970's at 'Kafou Kamoken' in Little Haiti
Haiti Refuses 2
To Accept
Deportation Of
Illegal Alien,
Is Then Arrested
For Murder
The month of May marks the 16th annual Haitian
Cultural Heritage Month in Miami-Dade County.
This long month event is basically the extension of
the celebration of the Haitian Flag, a tradition initiated in 1981 by Reverend Jean Renelus, a former
English teacher assistant at Robert Lee Elementary
Gimenez and
7
Monestime
Kick Off
'Haitian Heritage
Cultural Month’
in Miami-Dade
While the first groups of Haitian boat people started
to arrive in Miami during the 1970's, Renelus was
highly involved in the community helping the new
arrivals find their way in a new style of life.
"I am the one who installed the first Haitian flag in
the late 1970's at 'kafou Kamoken', corner of North
Miami Avenue and Northeast 62nd Street in Little
Haiti (which erected a bronze statue of General
Toussaint L'Ouverture, the father of Haitian inde( PASTOR RENELUS / Page 4)
pendence.)
60-year-old
9 Pirate
radio
Miami
stations
homeless man
are making
graduates
a comeback
from
college
13 Haiti :
15
Un état
qui s'effondre
trop
fièrement
(1ère Partie)
2
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
NEWS
Haiti Refuses To Accept Deportation Of Illegal Alien,
Is Then Arrested For Murder
By Alex Pfeifferr
Sarah Saldena, director of U.S Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, said, "It is tremendously frustrating. We want to send this person back, we wanted
to, and there are others unfortunately in this position."
An illegal immigrant convicted of attempted murder
and arrested after his release for a stabbing death was
not deported because his home country of Haiti
refused to accept him, a congressional hearing
revealed Thursday.
Jean Jacques, 40, is a Haitian illegal alien who was
first convicted in the U.S for 17 years for attempted
murder in relation to a 1996 shooting. Just six months
after release from prison in 2015, Jacques was arrested again, this time for stabbing and killing a 25 yearold Connecticut woman. At his arraignment for the
murder, the judge said, "you had a murder conviction,
and you weren't deported? OK."
"It is stunning and shocking how many times the
Haitian officials approved his return to Haiti and then
reversed themselves and essentially pulled the rug
out from under U.S officials and would not let him
come home to his home country," New York
Rep.Carolyn Maloney said in hearing about criminal
alien releases in the Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform.
"In Oct. 1, 2012, U.S officials submitted a request to
Haiti to deport him. Haitian officials gave their verbal confirmation that he was approved to come back
to Haiti," Maloney continued to say. "And then they
changed their minds. They told U.S officials that he
was denied for removal."
Saldena added that Haiti has not told ICE why it
refused to accept Jacques. The ICE director said that
"the Haitian government has worked with us in many
instances before."
Jean Jacques, left, stands with his public defender, Cynthia
Love, during his arraignment in Norwich Superior Court
Thursday, June 25, 2015, on charges of the murder of Casey
Chadwick of Norwich. (Dana Jensen/The Day pool photo)
"One week later, unbelievably, on Oct. 10 Haitian
officials acknowledged to U.S officials that they had
actually approved a flight to Haiti that included Mr.
Jacques, he was supposed to go. But then on the very
same day they reversed themselves again. They said
that he could not board the plane," the New York congresswoman said. "What in the world was going on
with these Haitian officials? And by treaty they had
approved that illegal aliens and certainly criminal
aliens would be accepted back into their country."
Maloney said that again on Feb. 2, 2016 the Haitian
government said it would accept Jacques, and then on
the same day changed its mind.
Maloney is a Democrat and in favor of "comprehensive immigration reform," but she said she was
wished to work together with Republicans to fix this
problem of countries not accepting deportations of
criminal aliens.
"Especially when they are 'allies,' when we have
treaties, when we are literally giving this country aid
and yet three times they really made fun of the
American government and said no, we are not taking
him back, reversing a verbal confirmation they are
taking this criminal back," Maloney said.
Haiti received over $350 million in aid from the U.S.
in 2014.
The mother of the woman murdered by Jacques said
in written testimony, "If ICE and Homeland Security
had done their job Casey would not have died and I
would not be here as part of the club of Homicide
Survivors which no parent wants to join."
Source: Dailycaller.com
Pras film on Haitian-American Nazi prisoner in works
LOS ANGELES, USA (sentinel.ht) –
Pras Michel of the Fugees is working
on a new film about a Haitian-born
American pilot who was downed and
imprisoned in Nazi Germany during
World War II.
Dora and the war by working undercover as a doctor, as an assistant to
Dr. Karl Kahr at the camp infirmary,
but he died shortly thereafter of
tuberculosis.
The film is an adaptation of Hugh
Wray McCann and David C. Smith’s
book “The Search for Johnny
Nicholas: The Secret of Nazi
Prisoner No. 44451”. Pras will be
teamed with producer Karyn
Rachtman, who also worked with
him on his 2015 documentary
“Sweet Micky for President”.
Born in 1918, Nicholas was a young
Haitian dilettante and member of the
French Resistance during the Nazi
occupation of Paris. He spent the last
year of his life at the Dora concentration camp in Germany, where the
Pras Michel
Third Reich was developing its V2
rocket. Nicholas survived Camp
From the description of the book that
Pras has optioned: “To others he was
a key player in the French Resistance
and a doctor who’d set up a practice
in Paris as a cover for his clandestine
activities. At a well built 6 feet, he
was a bon vivant who loved the high
life, and a film producer with a penchant for boldly thumbing his nose at
the Nazis in World War II Paris. To
Florence, his blonde girlfriend, he
was an enigma who cheated on her;
she betrayed him to her German handlers. Nicholas was arrested by the
Gestapo and wound up in 1943 in
Buchenwald as a slave laborer, later
working with thousands of other
prisoners to hollow out a secret
underground plant under construction at Camp Dora where V-1 and V2 rocket bombs were built. He was
the only black and only ‘American’
at Dora. Who was Johnny Nicholas
and how did he survive four death
sentences? What was his real mission
and ultimate fate? More than 20
years and 600 contacts worldwide
have gone into ‘The Search for
Johnny Nicholas,’ the dramatic
untold story of an unsung hero.”
IndieWire writer, Tambay A.
Obenson, wrote on the upcoming
film and added: “Sounds quite riveting, doesn’t it? These are the kinds of
seemingly *unbelievable* WWII
stories we simply don’t get enough
of. I want to see this on screen – and
hopefully done well.”
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
ADVERTISEMENT
3
TRIBUTE
4
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
Pastor Jean Renelus, the Man Behind the Traditional
Haitian Flag Celebration in Miami
Continued from page 1
At that time, there was no Haitian radio show. This
place is very symbolic because it was the location
where members of the community met to talk about
the political situation in Haiti under the Duvalier
regime," said Renelus.
As part of his initiative to celebrate the Haitian flag in
Miami, Renelus recalled that it was in 1981, a time
when he was a teaching assistant at Robert E. Lee
Elementary school in Miami, a school that had many
Haitian students. "My job consisted of teaching
English as a second language to the Haitian students."
A celebration of the Haitian flag in the early 90's in Little
Haiti, Miami (Archives).
"It was a hard time for the Haitian students in the
Miami-Dade public school system in the early 1980s.
As a former Boy Scout, May 18, 1981 is unforgettable
for me. During recess time, I brought out a number of
Haitian flags and gave them to the students to start an
event which became an annual tradition. To be honest
with you, I took the school administration by surprise
that day. This audacity paid off because the following
years we were able to repeat the Haitian flag celebration," said Renelus proudly.
"After that successful initiative at Robert Lee
Elementary School, I was so energized to start celebrating Haiti's flag in the Haitian community at 'kafou
Kamoken' every year since. The celebration became
bigger year after year, especially in 1991 when we
started a street celebration from Vertières Shopping
Center on 50th street to 84th Street along North Miami
Avenue. Two years later, we organized in Miami stadium a big parade with majorettes and music school
bands to commemorate the Haitian flag," he added.
Asked about the kind of support he received at the
beginning to organize the flag celebration, and what
was behind his motivation, Pastor Renelus stated that
35 years later he is not fully satisfied with the way the
Haitian community handles this celebration.
"I am very passionate about celebrating the Haitian
flag. A real flag celebration is something which is supposed to reunite students, Boy and Girl Scouts,
majorettes and music school bands for a parade.
Unfortunately, during the last 35 years I never had the
possibility and the necessary tools to organize the
event as it should be. But I am not discouraged. I hope
this month, for the 213th anniversary of the Haitian
flag, that the community will join forces and organize
a signature event for the occasion," he said.
Pastor Renelus says that his biggest regret is the fact
that the majority of Haitians living in South Florida
don't really understand the significance of this iconic
symbol. His criticism extends to the Haitian leadership in this region. "Sometimes I just feel completely
discouraged," he said.
"The celebration of the Haitian flag is not an event
designed for the purpose of making money. Instead, it
is something to expose the cultural and historical values of Haiti in South Florida. It is supposed to be
viewed as a moment of reflection, a time for the historians to teach to the youngest generation the sacrifice
our ancestors made to create the first free Black republic of the New World," said Renelus.
If Renelus shows pride for his 1981 initiative, 35 years
later the man is not too happy about the lack of grati-
LE FLORIDIEN
Founded 2001
All materials contained herein may be
reproduced in whole or in part only
by permission of the publisher.
All copyrights reserved.
Serving Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties
Member of the Florida Press Association
me a Certificate of Appreciation for that. I was
involved in former North Miami Mayors Joe Celestin,
Andre Pierre and Lucie Tondreau campaigns, paradoxically, none of whom ever valued my contribution
with so much as a mention to the community," sadly
said the reverend.
Pastor Jean Renelus shows gratitude to some people
whom, he said, backed him up with his annual event
in the past. He chose not to mention the names of
those financial contributors in order to avoid some
jealous situation in case he would forget to mention
everybody, but there is one person he insisted to
acknowledge for his annual support. His name is
Michel Lubin, owner of Lubin's Discount Beauty
Supply, in Little Haiti.
Pastor Jean Renelus dressed as Haitian national hero JeanJacques Dessalines poses with a Haitian flag.
tude towards him as one of the builders of this South
Florida's Haitian community. While many local organizations take these days with a great deal of pride and
enjoyment in delivering 'recognition plaques' to some
public figures in the community for their achievements, Pastor Renelus is unknown for his contributions to the advancement of the community. The latest generation of Haitian migrants in South Florida
have no idea he is the man who initiated the celebration of the Haitian flag in Miami 35 years ago, which
has become a very popular commemoration throughout South Florida each month of May.
When asked, 'Have you ever received a recognition for
your contribution to this community, particularly as
the person who came up with the idea of celebrating
the Haitian flag in 1981?' Renelus answered, "I am
very passionate about the Haitian flag. As you can see,
I always have a Haitian flag with me in my car. I take
pride in showing/displaying the flag everywhere I go.
I celebrate the flag every year, even at home by
myself. You know that Haitian proverb, 'Merite pa
mande' (Translation : The one who is deserving doesn't need to ask). I am not looking for recognition for
this movement I initiated. To answer your question
directly, the answer is no. I never received any kind of
recognition for my contributions to the foundation of
this community. I can tell you that none of the community leaders, if there are leaders, or any local organizations have ever given me a recognition. But, despite
this lack of gratitude, believe me, I am still all for the
Haitian flag celebration across South Florida.
"For the record, on May 18, 2007, with the help of the
late Hebert Jules, an unforgettable citizen, I decorated
the building of North Miami City Hall with 21 Haitian
flags. Then mayor Kevin Burns, a non-Haitian, sent
For Reverend Renelus, the best place to organize a big
Haitian flag celebration would be FIU North Stadium,
in North Miami, with majorettes, Boy and Girl Scouts,
school bands, where they could have an interdepartmental competition. "It is regrettable that we Haitians
have some chromosome defects when it comes to putting our efforts together for the best of the majority. It
is also regrettable to see for so many recent years,
instead of joining forces together to make a grandiose
celebration, every group of citizens chooses to organize their own mini 'Fête du Drapeau's event separately. This is very very sad," said Renelus.
When we mentioned to Renelus that some people
think he acts like a 'crazy' person sometimes, the reverend laughed before saying, "I am crazy for Haiti, for
the Haitian flag. Yes, I am 'crazy', because on many
occasions I had to use my own money (for example,
money to pay for my mortgage) to buy flags to install
at 'kafou kamoken' place during the month of May,
just to make the community look good. No one can
recall for fact one action I have committed in the past
that can make people believe I am a 'crazy' person.
For the 213th anniversary of the Haitian flag this year
(May 18), Reverend Jean Renelus has already many
ideas to celebrate the iconic red and blue symbol. He
already set Saturday May 21 for the day of this year's
celebration at Toussaint L'Ouverture Place/Kafou
kamoken in Little Haiti. As every year in the past,
Pastor Jean Renelus is looking for some financial support to organize this community celebration.
If you would like to support this free community event
which values the Haitian culture in Miami-Dade County,
please send your donation to the following address:
Pasteur Jean Renelus, P.O. Box 35, Fort Lauderdale,
Florida 33302, or contact the community builder at
(954) 770-7829.
DESSALINES FERDINAND, Editor/Publisher
JUDITH DAOUT, Associate Publisher | ENGLISH EDITOR, Gerald Hedlund
Distribution Managers: Leon Jean
Haiti Correspondent: Wilson Ferdinand
Contributors: Patricia Elizée - Dr. Angelo Gousse - Jonel Juste - Jose Davilmar - Jean Paul Lamou
EXECUTIVE OFFICES: 11626 NE 2nd Ave Miami, FL. 33161
For display advertising call (305) 610.7481 • Fax (305) 757-6769 • Website: http://www.lefloridien.com
E-mail contacts: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
LE FLORIDIEN is published twice each month, on the 1st and 16th days of the month, by Le Floridien, Inc.
THE LAW CORNER
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
5
Which Student Visa Do You Qualify For?
A foreign
immigrant
who
is
interested
in coming
to
the
United
States to
study at a
university
or professional
By Patricia Elizée, Esq.
school as
d i ff e r e n t
options available to them. Each student visa is different and each one has
their own benefits and restrictions.
The F-1 Visa allows students to study
full-time in the United States at a public institution such as an accredited
college, university, high school, etc.
The student applying for this visa must
be seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate and his/her school must be
authorized by the U.S. government to
accept international students.
You must be part of an institution that
is SVEP certified, and later will
receive an I-20 Form from a designated school official and pay a for the I901 SEVIS receipt. Your information
will be added to the SEVIS database
with a personalized ID number.
Requirements for F-1 Visa:
- Form I-20.
- SEVIS I-901 receipt.
- Signed passport (valid for 6 months
after U.S entry).
- Transcripts or diplomas from current
or previous institutions.
- Program of study description.
- Accommodation information.
- Proof of funds to pay tuition and living expenses for either the length of
your study or one year, whichever is
shorter.
The M-1 Visa applies to those who are
enrolled in vocational or nonacademic
programs aside from language training. The program chosen must be
completed in full-time. The only
exception is when you need a few
credits to finish your course of study.
You must show evidence that you can
support yourself and have health
insurance. When your application to a
certified University is approved, you
will have to fill out an I-20 form to
apply for the visa.
Requirements for M-1 Visa:
- Be enrolled in an academic educational program, a language-training
program, or a vocational program.
At least 21 die in shipwreck
off northern Haitian coast
At least 21 people died when the boat they were
sailing on to Bombardopolis sank off Gonaives,
in northern Haiti, officials with Civil Protection
on Monday confirmed to EFE.
The boat sank on the weekend, and the bodies
of the dead were recovered on Sunday,
although the sources said that it is not known
exactly how many people were on board the
vessel that, in addition to passengers, was transporting food products.
Civil Protection officials said that some people
survived the shipwreck and are hospitalized,
although they were unable to determine precisely how many survivors were receiving
medical care.
Incidents such as this one occur regularly in
Haiti, especially during the rainy season, due to
the fact that the maritime monitoring system
has no means of controlling informal passenger
transport when risky situations develop.
In that regard, Civil Protection repeated its call
to the public not to take the risk of sea travel in
adverse weather conditions, noting that in the
past two weeks 28 people have died as a result
of the rainy and stormy weather.
The national maritime service is continuing
with the search for survivors and/or the recovery of bodies from the shipwreck.
Source:EFE
Nine dead after Haiti weekend
storms
Port-au-Prince - A boat capsized in rough
waters during a violent weekend storm,
killing eight people, while another was swept
away by a river, officials in Haiti said on
Monday.
The incident occurred overnight Saturday into
Sunday, according to Eric Prevost, head of
Haiti's maritime and navigation service. He
revised downward a previously announced
- The school must be part of the
Student and Exchange Visitors
Program, Immigration & Customs
Enforcement.
- Be a full-time student at the institution.
- Passport valid in U.S (6 months after
U.S entry).
- Have enough funds for self-support.
- Keep a residence abroad.
The J-1 Visa is for non-immigrants
given by the United States for visitors
who want to engage in a cultural
exchange program, more specifically
for those who want to be trained for
medical or business purposes.
Exchange visitors for the J-1 visa are
allowed to do several tasks such as
study, teach, demonstrate skills, or
receive training. Moreover, the training must not be available at the applicant's home country.
Requirements for J-1 Visa:
- Be SEVIS eligible.
- Training/ Internship Placement plan
(Form DS 7002).
- Form DS-160.
- Valid U.S passport (6 months after
U.S entry).
- Must not intend on abandoning home
country.
estimate of 21 deaths from the accident.
The small yacht departed the city of
Bombardopolis and went down shortly before it
was to have arrived at its destination in the city
of Gonaives.
Officials said rescuers were able to save several passengers, but do not know how many people in total were on board the vessel.
The authorities blamed rough weather for
another death after a young man was swept
away by rising waters in Centre department,
bringing the total number of people killed during the weekend's inclement weather to nine.
A woman was also missing in Centre after trying to cross the swollen river.
Source: News24.com
Haiti - Jamaica : Seizure of 300 kg
of narcotic for Haiti
Sunday, the maritime police officers of Jamaica
have seized 300 kilograms of marijuana that
were found in plastic bags in the sea near
Pelícano Cayo, at the eastern end of Jamaica
(the goods had been spotted Saturday in the
afternoon). In addition to the drugs, agents also
found at sea 15 fuel cans.
According to the Jamaican authorities, 3 men
were arrested including one Haitian suspected
of involvement in this trafficking. Investigators
from the Narcotics Division said the cargo
should have been picked up by a boat as a destination Haiti, within the framework of
exchange of weapons against drug between
bands from both countries. This operation represents "another blow to drug trafficking
against weapons between Jamaica and Haiti,"
declared the police of Jamaica.
Members of the Jamaican Coast Guard, took
part in an operation to try to find the ship that
should collect the drugs, but searches were
unsuccessful.
S: HaitiLibre
The H-3 Visa is for individuals who
want to be trained in the U.S for a particular job. The reason for this is to
help improve a person's career path in
his or her home country.
Prior to applying for this type of visa,
the person must have some previous
knowledge necessary to be part of a
U.S training program. The person
must also have intentions of returning
back to his or her home once the visa
terminates.
Requirements for H-3 Visa:
- Have previous knowledge.
- Job is provided by U.S Company.
- Employment is minor part of full
program.
- Same type of training can't be available at person's home country.
Patricia Elizee is a managing partner at
Elizee Law Firm. The firm is focuses on
immigration and family law cases. Ms.
Elizee can be reached at 305-371-8846.
Elizee Law firm 1110 Brickell Avenue,
Suite 315, Miami, Florida 33131.
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
HAITI NEWS
6
EU announces additional 38 million euros in aid for Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AFP)
– The European Union said
Friday it was giving an additional
38 million euros in cash aid to
Haiti, which is combatting
drought and a migration crisis
with neighboring Dominican
Republic.
The funding included 12.2 million euros for food and drinking
water to more than 400,000
Haitians, an EU news release
said.
The El Nino weather phenomenon has devastated crops, with
losses of up to 70 percent in some
areas. About 3.6 million Haitians
are facing food insecurity, with
1.3 million among them severely
food insecure, according to the
World Food Program.
The EU was also allocating
400,000 euros to assist people in
Haiti who had been deported
from the Dominican Republic.
The neighbouring country began
enforcing an immigration policy
in summer 2015 primarily targeting people of Haitian origin.
Since then, some 87,000 people
have been forced across the border into Haiti, where some have
never lived. Among them are
more than 1,200 unaccompanied
minors, according to the
International Organization for
Migration.
Some were deported so suddenly
that they arrive with only the
clothes on their backs. Thousands
are living near the border in
makeshift dwellings with poor
sanitation.
In addition to the emergency aid,
the EU was also providing 17
million for medium and longterm projects aimed at helping
Haiti build its capacity to respond
to climate threats.
Haiti is the poorest country in the
Americas, crippled by long-term
political instability and a devastating quake in 2010.
Former sheriff's nephew kills three, self in Florida
A former sheriff's nephew accused
of shooting and killing three people
in Green Cove Springs (South of
Jacksonville, Florida) was found
dead from a self-inflicted gunshot
wound Tuesday afternoon, officials
said.
Murray Lancaster, 40, apparently
committed suicide inside a familyowned trailer, News4Jax reported.
Lancaster is the nephew of ex-Clay
County Sheriff Scott Lancaster.
Lancaster killed his ex-wife, Erica
Green Lancaster, his girlfriend,
Valorie Short, and his girlfriend’s
father, Welland Short, on Tuesday
morning, ActionNewsJax reported.
A witness said Murray Lancaster
came into a local salon in Green
Cove Springs, held everyone at
gunpoint, grabbed Valorie Short
and said, “We’re going to get your
father.” He later shot both at a
country club.
an officer on March 15, WOKV
reported. During the incident,
Lancaster is alleged to have physically assaulted Valorie Short. He
also got into a heated verbal confrontation with Welland Short,
according to the incident report. On
March 17, Lancaster was ordered to
have no contact with Valorie.
After the death of Valorie and
Welland Short, Murray Lancaster
shot his ex-wife while she worked
at a landfill.
One of the women was pregnant,
News4Jax reported, but it was not
clear which woman it was. Valorie
Short and Erica Lancaster each had
two children, News6 reported.
Authorities told Jacksonville.com
there were two shooting scenes.
Lancaster had been arrested for
misdemeanor battery and resisting
PRESS RELEASE
Sant La Fellows Inaugural Class
of 2015-2016
North Miami- On Saturday, April 16, 2016, the Sant
La, Haitian Neighborhood Center Fellows Inaugural
Class of 2015-2016 hosted a Youth Resource Summit
as its capstone project. This highly anticipated Haitian
American Youth Resource Summit took place at the
Florida International University-Biscayne Bay
Campus (FIU) with the support of the Haitian Student
Organization.
The event included the participation of approximately
50 young Haitian-American students, grades 8-12
residing in Miami-Dade County. The youth engaged in
hands on activities including CSI North Miami, where
a group investigated a murder with the assistance of
the North Miami Police Department and a Shark Tank
challenge, where the youth had an opportunity to create and present an innovative project for potential
investment. In addition, several esteemed professionals and experts in different fields interacted with the
students during lunch to discuss their career goals and
challenges, connecting them to personal and professional development opportunities. A session of the
effects of social media on landing a job, etiquette, life
skills was also presented to the youth during that summit.
The students also had an opportunity to hear from
Mecca aka Grimo and the North Miami Police
Department’s Chief of Police, Leonard Burgess.
The Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center
Fellowship, is a year-long program that targets young
professionals of Haitian descent. The fellowship
endeavors to identify, prepare, and support the next
generation of civic, academic, business and political
leaders in the Haitian-American community Sant La
Fellows.
Haitian-American Judge Faces Election Challenge
Continued from page 1
In a Miami-Dade judicial system where
8 percent of the 123 judges are Black,
the decision of Abreu to run against
Judge Seraphin raised concerns in
African-American and Caribbean bar
associations in a time where initiatives
have been launched to increase diversity on the bench, particularly the number
of Black federal and state judges in
South Florida.
Many observers believe that Abreu
chose to run against Seraphin because
of an incident involving the HaitianAmerican judge last year. The MiamiDade County Court Magistrate was
accused of refusing to allow Assistant
Public Defender and nursing mother
Marissa Altman Glatzer to take trial
breaks to express her breast milk.
The assistant public defender said that
Seraphin allegedly refused to accommodate her request of 15-minute break
every three to four hours during trial so
that she would be able to pump breast
milk. Glatzer claims that she made the
same request of two other judges, and
they were more than willing to accommodate her - one judge even offered up
his chambers as a place for her to nurse.
Women's groups and courthouse blogs
were critical of Judge Seraphin's decision, including the Miami chapter of the
Florida Association for Women
Lawyers. In 2015, 49 states and the
District of Columbia had laws that
allow women to breastfeed in any public or private location.
In an interview with the Daily Business
Review, one week after the incident
occurred, Judge Seraphin claimed that
this was simply a "miscommunication."
But Glatzer's version of the incident
was backed up by Miami-Dade Public
Defender Carlos Martinez. "Ms. Glatzer
was courteous and professional. She
advised the judge a day before the trial
that she would need a break to pump
breast milk for her newborn every three
hours. Her reasonable request was met
with a level of insensitivity and inflexibility that is inexplicable," Martinez
said.
"So I guess you'll find somebody to
cover for you?" Judge Seraphin asked
Glatzer following her request, to which
the assistant public defender told him
no. "No? Well I'm not going to take a
break just because you need to pump,"
Judge Seraphin said, according to audio
recording of the conversation in the
courtroom obtained by CBS Miami TV
station
Glatzer isn't the first case involving a
judge and an attorney with maternity
status. In 2014, a judge in Georgia
refused to grant a continuance to an
attorney on maternity leave - so she
brought her newborn to court to argue
the case. Something similar happened
in Texas in 2012. Last year, the Illinois
Board of Admissions to the Bar refused
to allow a new mother to take breaks to
pump breast milk during the bar exam.
(The Illinois Bar changed course after
negative media coverage.)
Milena Abreu, who previously worked
as an assistant public defender for
often done poorly in election races.
Nearly all minority judges have initially
been appointed. The upcoming election
challenge for Judge Fred Seraphin is so
serious that many well-known personalities in the Haitian community have
already joined their financial support to
collect money through fundraisings in
order to help the only Haitian-American
judge in Miami-Dade County retain his
seat. Those financial contributors make
the case about how important it is to
have the presence of one of theirs in the
Miami-Dade judicial system.
"This election is about the pride of the
Haitian community," an anonymous
source stated. "It is not about Seraphin.
I think Judge Fred Seraphin had done an
outstanding job, there is no need to be
worried about this challenge."
Haitian-American Judge Fred Seraphin
Miami-Dade Public Defender Carlos
Martinez for about a decade, said that
she could certainly understand why
people would take offense at Seraphin's
decision, but she insisted to say that
Seraphin's decision last June was not
her sole reason for running.
Abreu has never run for judge before.
She said she chose this race because she
is qualified and could do a better job.
She said she wants to bring a fresher
approach and a new voice to the Florida
Eleventh Judicial Circuit Courtroom.
Minority candidates for judge have
Before being appointed judge in 2001,
Fred Seraphin already had hands-on
experience with the court system since
he worked as an assistant public defender for 11 years, interrupted by four
years' experience as a private defense
lawyer.
The county court handles misdemeanor
criminal cases and civil cases of up to
$15,000. The median annual salary for a
judge in Miami, Florida is $148,130, as
of March 24, 2016, with a range usually between $145,300-$165,774, not
including bonus and benefit information and other factors that impact base
pay.
DF/LE FLORIDIEN
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
MIAMI-DADE / HAITIAN CELEBRATION
7
Mayor Gimenez and Chairman Monestime Kick Off
'Haitian Heritage Cultural Month' in Miami-Dade
MIAMI -- Under the patronage of the Executive
Office of Miami Dade Mayor, Carlos A. Gimenez,
and the office of Miami-Dade's Commission
Chairperson, Jean Monestime, community leaders,
political figures, notable citizens, and many other
invited guests rang in one of the year's most important Haitian community celebrations in Miami-Dade
Country on Sunday, May 1.
The opening ceremony of the 16th annual Haitian
Heritage Cultural Month celebration under the
theme, "Haiti, See it, Live it, Love it," was held at the
fully decorated red and blue Ice Palace Film Studio in
Miami.
This month-long celebration opened an unprecedented window onto the rich and diverse aspects of
Haitian culture in South Florida through a countywide celebration of the finer aspects of the performing arts, literature, folk arts and cuisine for the South
Florida community at large, as well as visitors to the
region. This celebration also provided a mirror for
Haitian-Americans to celebrate and reflect on their
traditions.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez.
Miami-Dade's Commission Chairperson, Jean Monestime
Photo courtesy of Office Chairman Jean Monestime
Photo courtesy of Office Chairman Jean Monestime
About 350 people gathered to mark the first day of
the celebration. The evening's festivities were
emceed by rapper and activist Mecca 'Grimo'
Marcelin, and included live entertainment by many
local Haitian performers.
Miami-Dade Mayor Gimenez paid respect to the
Haitian community at the opening ceremony.
However, besides North Miami Vice Mayor Alix
Desulme, and a few key community figures, such as
Gepsie Morisset Metellus (Executive Director of the
Haitian Neighborhood Center Sant La), who attended
the Sunday night event, a majority of well-known
personalities from South Florida's Haitian community, for example North Miami Mayor Dr. Smith
Joseph, Florida State Representative Daphne
Campbell, and Marleine Bastien (Executive Director
of 'Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami'), were missing.
Following the invocation by a local pastor, Chairman
Monestime commented that the long-month celebration serves as a reminder of the important contributions of the Haitian-American community in MiamiDade County. "It is very important to me because it
provides us a sense of belonging, and promotes cultural pride and unity," he said. "This long month celebration is a wonderful opportunity for people of
every nationality and background to come and experience the richness of the Haitian culture," the
District 2 Commissioner said.
"Often times, we hear of the ills that plague Haiti,
man-made or through sheer force of nature; but as a
proud Haitian-American, I wish to speak of her
exploits, her character, her history and her continuous
struggle to help other countries," added Monestime.
The first Haitian-American Chairperson in MiamiDade County noted that "the slave rebellion in Haiti
helped the United States double in size when the
leaders of France decided to abandon plans for an
empire in the Americas. This rebellion not only created the first independent state in Latin America but
it also helped ensure the survival of another fledgling
republic: the United States of America."
Monestime reminded the audience of the important
contributions of a 'Haitian regiment' known as 'Les
Chasseurs Volontaires de Saint-Domingue,' made up
of ten companies of an estimated 545 men of African
descent, in the independence of the United States of
America in 1779.
The role of Haitian soldiers in the battle of Pensacola
(United States) in 1812; the help received by Simón
Bolívar (a Venezuelan military and political leader)
from the Haitian goverment under Alexandre Pétion
for his military campaigns to free six Latin countries
The “Nancy St. Leger Dance Ensemble" during a performance at the 2016 Opening ceremony of Haitian Heritage Cultural Month.
Photo Ricardo Saint-Cyr
from
the
Spanish
rule,
including
Ve n e z u e l a ,
E c u a d o r ,
Bolivia,
Peru
and Colombia as
sovereign states,
were also highlighted.
Monestime concluded
his
speech by say- Consul François (right) seized the opporto offer a gift to the Miami-Dade
ing, "My Haiti is tunity
Chairman, which was a COPA AMERICA
a land strikingly Haiti Soccer Futbol Jersey, complete
beautiful, diver- with the name Monestime on the back.
sified by moun- Photo Ricardo Saint-Cyr
tains, valleys,
lakes, rivers and plains, and contains in itself all the
elements of greatness and enduring wealth. My Haiti
is too rich to be poor."
Following onto the stage was Vice-Consul Guy
François Jr., responsible for cultural and tourism
affairs at the General Consulate of the Republic of
Haiti in Miami. ?
"Haitian Cultural Month in Miami is a time to promote our culture and honor our ancestors whose contributions we celebrate today and throughout the
month of May. It's a time to share with others our art,
music and food," the representative of the Haitian
government said.
Before introducing Mayor Gimenez, Miami-Dade
County's highest-ranking elected official, who is running for re-election this year, Consul François seized
the opportunity to offer a gift to the Miami-Dade
Chairman, which was a COPA AMERICA Haiti
Soccer Futbol Jersey, complete with the name
Monestime on the back. It was appreciated by the
Chairman who then promised that he will wear the
shirt at the upcoming friendly game between Haiti
and Colombia set for Sunday May 29 at The Marlins
Stadium in Miami.
"In Miami-Dade County, we always take pride in cel-
Haitian Musicians (Photo courtesy of Office Chairman Monestime)
ebrating our diversity and history," said Mayor
Gimenez. "This month marks a time to reflect and
honor the contribution of the Haitian community to
the progress of our county. I encourage all residents
to attend the events we have planned. It'll be a great
time to come together and celebrate our diverse
Miami-Dade community," Gimenez continued.
Food and special beverages were served throughout
the event. The festive atmosphere created by popular
DJ NICKY MIX, the Nancy St. Leger "Dance
Ensemble", two local singers, and renowned Haitian
konpa band Nu Look, made the night successful. It
started at 6pm and the ceremony lasted until 11:30.
Haitian Heritage Cultural Month is a nationally dedicated time where Haiti's Diaspora globally celebrates the culture and traditions of Haiti. It was first
celebrated in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1998.
The month-long observance is an expansion of
Haitian Flag Day, a major patriotic day celebration in
Haiti and the Diaspora. This month of festivities was
first celebrated in Miami-Dade in 2001 during the
reign of former Mayor Alex Penelas, when the Board
of County Commissioners adopted it through
Resolution R-452-01.
Programs, performances and exhibitions are planned
for diverse venues and locations throughout South
Florida including, Little Haiti, North Miami and
Miami Beach. The cultural affairs section of
Commissioner Monestime's office has developed a
program of 26 events that will be held throughout this
month. It can be viewed at www.miamidade.gov/disDF/LE FLORIDIEN
trict02.
8
ADVERTISEMENT
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
UROLOGY HEALTH
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
Fracture of the Penis: A Urologic Emergency
during intercourse, generally in female dominant
positions, a penile fracture is very possible during
aggressive masturbation or even forceful handling
of the erect penis. At the moment of fracture the
affected person will generally report hearing and
feeling a "pop" or "click" followed by immediate
loss of their erection. Shortly after, the individual
will notice swelling of the shaft and a sharp pain at
the sight of rupture.
By Jean Paul Lamour , B.S
( Pre-Medical Student , FIU )
By Dr. Angelo E. Gousse
MD
Penile fracture, although a fairly uncommon condition, is a serious urological emergency.
The main body of the penis consists of two cylinders of sponge-like tissue that run along either side
of the penile shaft known as the corpora cavernosa.
It is by engorging the corpora with blood that the
penis gains the rigidity necessary for penetration.
The corpora are encased in a fibrous elastic sheath
called the tunica albuginea. The elasticity of the
tunica albuginea allows it to stretch and contract in
order to accommodate for the swelling of blood
into the corpora during an erection and the flow of
blood out of the corpora as the erection subsides.
As the tunica, albuginea stretches along the enlarging corporal body it becomes thinner and loses
some of its elasticity. The weakening of the tunica
albuginea as the penis becomes erect is the very
factor that leaves the penis susceptible to fracture.
The penile fracture is not a fracture as commonly seen in bones or substances with dense
matrices. Rather, it is a rupture of the corpus cavernosum through the tunica albuginea. This happens
when there is blunt force trauma to the erect penis
causing it to bend to the point of tunical tearing.
Although the majority of incidences have occurred
Clinically, a penile fracture is fairly easily
identifiable but must be taken very seriously. It is
associated with discoloration of the skin, swelling
of the tissues surrounding the fracture, slight curvature away from the sight of tunical rupture, and
hematoma. In some cases the tear in the tunica
albuginea is clinically palpable. The physician can
generally diagnose the penile fracture without any
visual studies. However, cavernosography and
ultrasonography can be very useful in not only
determining the sight of rupture, but in ensuring
that only one corpus has been affected and that surrounding structures such as the urethra have not
been damaged. Urethral injuries are most common
when both corpora have been ruptured.
Treatment of a penile fracture can be
approached surgically or conservatively.
Conservative treatment consists of applying pressure wrapping and taking anti-inflammatory medication. However, due to significantly lower incidences of complications, immediate surgical intervention has become the most favored form of treatment. Surgical reparation of the fracture involves
the removal of the hematoma and suturing of the
tunica albuginea. After surgery, it is recommended
that patients abstain from intercourse and masturbation for up to two months to reduce the risk of refracture. The majority of patients seeking immediate attention will see full recovery and in most
cases resume normal sexual function. Although the
60-year-old Miami homeless man
graduates from college
MIAMI (WSVN) -- It's not every day
a 60-year-old homeless man graduates from college, but thanks to an
organization, one man got the chance
of a lifetime.
Meet Tony Rhodriquez, he's a 60year-old homeless man living in
Miami-Dade County. Right now, he
does not have a job. However, he
knows one thing -- this is going to
change. "I know how to be passionate
about a job," he said. "I think passion
is the one thing that drives people for
success."
But he's not only banking on this passion. After overcoming an addiction
to drugs and alcohol, Rhodriquez
knew he wanted to make an even better life for himself. "I said to myself,
'One day, there's got to be something
better than this. I'm strong enough to
do something better than this.'"
So he decided to enroll at MiamiDade College.
Now, he's graduating with a bachelor's degree in business, paid for by
scholarships and grants, fulfilling a
life-long dream of his, as well as a
promise he made to his parents years
ago. "The one thing you do is never
give up, ever, no matter what," he
said.
His achievements were made possible thanks in part to the Choose Love
Foundation. Thanks to the organization, he said he's been able to make it
to graduation weekend.
And that's why Rhodriquez shared
his story. He wants to inspire others,
like himself, to give them the extra
motivation they need to turn a dream
into reality. He said, "If I could help
one person get into school, I've done
my job for God."
Tony Rhodriquez graduateed last
Saturday during a ceremony held at
the Knight Center in Downtown
Miami.
For more information on the Choose
Love Foundation, visit their Facebook
page or check them out on Instagram at
@chooselovefoundation.
Source: wsvn.com
9
risks of complications are low with immediate surgical intervention, they are still possible.
Complications may include painful erections,
angulation/curvature of the penile shaft, fibrous
plaque buildup at the sight of rupture, and in few
cases erectile dysfunction.
In spite of the associated risks, the penile
fracture is a highly under-reported condition. In
many cases the affected individual either does not
report or delays reporting the injury due to embarrassment or fear of judgment. This is truly unfortunate as the longer one waits to seek treatment, the
greater the risk of complications, deformity, and
even impotence, depending on the severity of the
fracture. It is important to understand that the low
rate of incidence, manner of occurrences, or fear of
embarrassment should not lessen the urgency with
which one should seek treatment.
Jean Paul Lamour , B.S
( Pre-Medical Student , FIU )
About the Author:
Dr. Angelo Gousse, a Yale graduate, has lectured nationally and internationally on the subject and co-authored
numerous scientific articles on male and female reconstructive urology. One of the few reconstructive urologists in the State of Florida, he has performed more than
1000 reconstructive procedures of the urinary tract
.UCLA trained, he is a former executive board member
of the Genitourinary Reconstructive Urology Society
(GURS) and is Board Certified on Female Pelvic
Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) . He is
the Fellowship Director of Voiding Dysfunction, Male
and Female Reconstructive Urology at the Bladder
Health and Reconstructive Urology Institute.
10
SHEKINAH RUBRIC (INSERT)
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
Tabernacle of Glory presents Arise & Shine Miracle Conference 2016
From June 19th to July 31st,
Tabernacle of Glory will host 40 days
of Fasting at North Miami Senior High
Auditorium. The 40-day Fast will end
with a 4-Day Miracle Conference at
Bank United Center, Coral Gables, Fl.
"We've conquered our spiritual giants, now it's
our season to Arise and Shine! Join Tabernacle
of Glory at our 2nd annual 4-day Conference
July 28-31 at the Bank United Center as we
close out 40 Days of Fasting", invites
Tabernacle of Glory.
Last year was about Conquering Giants, this
year is about Living in the Glory; it's time to
arise and shine. God's Glory is the theme of
the 40-Day Fast and the 4-Day Conference.
The glory is already at work. Some people
were healed just by listening to the radio spot
announcing this highly spiritual event. The
first night of the 40-Day Fast will be a night a
miracle, announces Gregory Toussaint, Senior
Pastor of Tabernacle of Glory.
"Last year was great, this year will be even
greater", said Pastor Toussaint when he
launched the event 2 months ago. Last year,
many leading figures of the Christian world
took part at the "Conquering the Giants" multicultural conference. More than 7000 people
attended the event at the Bank United Center,
Coral Gables, FL.
The crowd worshiping at BUC during last year conference
Pastor Gregory Toussaint praying at the Conquering the Giants
Tabernacle of Glory is gearing for the second
edition of this big annual event and Pastor
Gregory Toussaint urges people to come with
great faith and expectation to receive a miracle
from God.
Those who plan to come down to Miami at the
Conference are invited to do so early by registering
on
the
website
www.tabernacleofglory.net .
About Tabernacle of Glory
Tabernacle of Glory is a multicultural community that glorifies God through passionate worship, fervent prayer, faithful application of
scripture, sincere fellowship, and effective
evangelism. Founded in 2004 by Pastor
Gregory and Patricia Toussaint, Tabernacle of
Glory is located in the heart of North Miami,
Florida. In keeping with our Lord's Great
Commission (Matt. 28:19), Tabernacle of
Glory promotes Christ by sharing the gospel
with the various cultures and ethnic groups in
the community and broadcasting the Good News
The multicultural attendance
to the nation and the world.
TGSunday Service schedule
French: 8AM
Creole: 10AM
English: 12:30 PM
Location: North Miami Senior High
Auditorium
13110 NE 8th Ave, North Miami, FL 33161
Phone: 7865051580/3058990101
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.shekinah.fm
Passionate worship
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH CALENDAR
11
12
US ELECTIONS
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
Black migrants becoming visible voting bloc
By Charles D. Ellison
interesting racial and class divide.”
As the lone Black candidate in a crowded congressional race last week to fill outgoing U.S.
Rep. Chris Van Hollen’s seat, Democrat Will
Jawando was convinced he would need one particular voting bloc to cross the finish line: Black
migrants.
How that translates into political influence exercised by Black diaspora migrants is a major
question as they flow in from the Caribbean, East
Africa, West Africa and, yes, even Latin America
as a massive slice of the U.S. Black population.
That’s not the first competitive constituency that
comes to mind when running for Congress in
Maryland’s affluent, white 8th Congressional
District, which includes the upscale Montgomery
County, just north of Washington, D.C.
According to the Pew Research Center’s Monica
Anderson, in her study titled “A Rising Share of
the U.S. Black Population is Foreign Born,”
Black migrants are now four times larger than
they were in 1980, at nearly 4 million, and
account for almost 10 percent of the overall U.S.
Black population.
Black diaspora migrants from Africa and the
Caribbean wouldn’t factor in to anyone’s calculus, at first, particularly as they stump through
posh pockets like Chevy Chase, Bethesda and
Rockville.
Overall, Black migrants at more than 8 percent
of all immigrants. By 2060, they’ll be nearly 17
percent of the entire Black American population.
But Maryland — more than 30 percent Black and
one of the highest concentrations of people of
color in the nation — has a non-native Black
population that accounts for 10 percent of the
overall Black population. Suburban D.C. serves
as an interesting case study, as did the role of
Black migrants in a number of key primary battles with massive Black political footprints on
them: from the overcrowded Baltimore mayoral
race to a heated battle for a U.S. Senate seat
between Van Hollen and Black Congresswoman
Donna Edwards (D-Md.).
Neither Jawando nor Edwards won their contests
last week. Yet, the focus from Jawando — himself half-Nigerian — on Black migrant voters
showed that Black diaspora dynamics aren’t just
prevalent to Maryland, but anywhere you find
large concentrations of Black people. The
migrants have blended into a rather familiar and
common element of Black American life. And as
communities of African and Caribbean descent
grow, questions emerge as to the shape, size and
trajectory of their political influence.
In 2016, their direct influence on the presidential
race is not yet clear, considering they’re lumped
into a broader “Black Voting Bloc.” But they are
aware and active, with observers curious over
how they’ll impact down ballot House and
Senate races, along with metropolitan local and
state contests.
Africans and Caribbeans are paying close attention to what’s bubbling in 2016, particularly as
the national political conversation centers on topics such as immigration, police violence and
racial profiling.
“African and Caribbean students started to realize they are racialized in the same way African
Americans are [especially after Ferguson and
Freddie Gray],” said Lisa M. Gray, an administrator at University of Maryland, Baltimore
County. “Before there was some distance, a very
Those population trends underscore dramatic
political changes fundamentally reshaping the
modern Black political landscape, especially in
major urban corridors like Miami, New York,
Washington, D.C., Boston and elsewhere. As
Black migrant populations acclimate to their new
environments and community identities, more
will (naturally) adjust to their political climates.
“Academia still lags behind in segregating the
data,” said Christina Greer, a political scientist
from Fordham University, who wrote “Black
Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of
the American Dream.” There’s no way to define
or gauge the political leanings, affiliations of
specific Black migrant communities. Scholars
are doing this work, but no data looking at [or
separating] African, Caribbean and African
American attitudes.”
Foreign-born Blacks and native-born African
Americans differ on a wide range of issues.
“There’s a need to look at the religious diversity,
too, to go beyond traditional assumptions,” Greer
said.
She copiously studies the tensions, offering
examples of peculiar local battles in places like
Harlem: in a usually low-key and barely noticeable “district leader” election GhanaianAntiguan American lawyer Afua Atta-Mensah
faced relentless threats and intimidation in a once
obscure Democratic primary for 70th District
Part A. “The more curious story is what happens
on the local levels.”
There are obviously moments when political
connections are seamless based on shared cultural experiences and goals. Yet, Greer points to
evolving differences between native-born
African Americans and foreign-born Black
migrants on loyalties to political parties; while,
for the most part, the vast majority of Black
migrants pretty much mirror long-standing Black
loyalty to Democrats, that could change.
Still, popular conversation on Black and immigrant relationships seems squarely focused on
how African Americans politically adjust to
gradually rising Latino influence (despite budding coalitions around candidate Obama in 2008
that were sustained into 2012). The politics,
however, are not as simple as Black vs. brown.
According to a Migration Policy Institute study,
14 percent of migrants from the Dominican
Republican identify as black, along with 8 percent of Spanish-speaking (or English in the case
of Belize and Portuguese in the case of Brazil)
Black migrants hailing from Latin America.
Dominicans are one of many Black migrant
groups looking for political clout.
As are, in recent years, Haitians, Jamaicans,
Nigerians and Liberians, all clearly Black diaspora groups with profound direct connections to
African Americans. That’s seen in the way U.S.
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), of Jamaican
descent, emerged as what Greer calls the “triple
threat” pol (female, West Indian and Black). She
managed to stop former U.S. Rep. Major Owens
(D-N.Y.) from installing his son as a replacement.
Haitians matured politically in recent years, too,
from a member in Congress to chair of the
Miami-Dade County Commission. New York
finally got its first Haitian city council member
after years of underrepresentation and split votes
in a large Haitian district, with local Caribbean
legislators leveraging. And while she doesn’t
broadcast it, Black Republican Rep. Mia Love
(R-Utah) is technically the first Haitian
American elected to Congress.
There are notable combinations according to
where folks are from and how long: Black
American to Black Caribbean; Black Caribbean
to African; and, more often than not, the political
linkages are much deeper between Black
Americans and much more familiar Caribbean
community partners than newer Eastern
(Ethiopian, Eritrean, Somali, etc.) or Western
(Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast,
etc.) Africans.
Ties between African Americans and Caribbean
partners are viewed as much closer while perplexing. Guyanese-born Felicia Persaud, CEO of
CaribPR Wire and an advocate for a Caribbean
category in the 2010 Census, offers a reminder
that “Many people from the Caribbean are not
black. There is a melting pot of races and cultures from the Caribbean, the one identifying
brand is Caribbean.”
“It created tensions once it first started out. But
once we staked out positions, we understood
each other,” said Persaud. “We’ll still racially
identify as Black.”
Source: phillytrib.com
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
NEWS
Pirate radio stations are making a comeback
13
Inexpensive technology and cuts in government monitoring have combined to boost activity.
By Ben Finley Associated Press
In the age of podcasts and streaming services, you
might think pirate radio is low on the list of concerns
of federal lawmakers and broadcasters. You'd be
wrong.
They're increasingly worried about its presence as
unlicensed broadcasters commandeer frequencies to
play anything from Trinidadian dance music to Haitian
call-in shows. And they complain that the Federal
Communications Commission can't keep up with the
pirates, who can block listeners from favorite programs or emergency alerts for missing children and
severe weather.
Helped along by cheaper technology, the rogue stations can cover several blocks or several square miles.
Most broadcast to immigrant communities that pirate
radio defenders say are underserved by licensed stations.
"The DJs sound like you and they talk about things that
you're interested in," said Jay Blessed, an online DJ
who has listened to various unlicensed stations since
she moved from Trinidad to New York City more than
a decade ago.
"You call them up and say, 'I want to hear this song,'
and they play it for you," Blessed said. "It's interactive.
It's engaging. It's communal."
Last year, nearly three dozen congressional members
from the New York region urged the FCC to do more
about what they called the "unprecedented growth of
pirate radio operations." So did the National
Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, which said
pirates undermine licensed minority stations while
ignoring consumer protection laws that guard against
indecency and false advertising.
The New York State Broadcasters Association esti-
mates that 100 pirates operate in the New York City
area alone, carrying programs in languages from
Hebrew to Gaelic to Spanish. Many also broadcast in
and around Miami and Boston; FCC enforcement data
show agents have gone after at least one pirate in nearly every state in the past decade.
In his response to lawmakers' concerns, FCC
Chairman Tom Wheeler cited a stagnant budget and its
smallest staff in 30 years. Fines and seizures are not
enough, he added, because pirates often refuse to pay
and quickly replace transmitters and inexpensive
antennas.
For about $750, pirates can buy equipment to broadcast at a range of at least 1 or 2 miles, experts say.
An FCC spokesman said the agency remains dedicated
to combating pirate radio and has added agents to its
New York office. Meanwhile, lawmakers and FCC
officials continue to discuss solutions.
The FCC has been discussing possible solutions, such
as penalizing pirate radio advertisers, and has urged
landlords and government officials to look out for
rogue broadcasters.
The alleged pirates include Jean Yves Tullias, a barber
living in Irvington, about 15 miles from New York.
The FCC claims he appropriated an unused frequency
to broadcast his show, which includes church services,
gospel music and a call-in program for fellow Haitians.
Tullias denies any wrongdoing. He said he does his
show on the Internet and that a friend broadcast it over
the air without telling him he had used a pirated frequency.
Tullias, 44, started his show because the local Haitian
community "had no communication, nobody to help
them," he said.
"When you get that radio station, that prayer line, you
feel comfortable," he said of older listeners who speak
little English and feel isolated. "You feel happy."
Fines haven't worked
Broadcasters are increasingly concerned because the
FCC has gone after fewer pirates in recent years. The
commission issued more than 100 warnings and fines
against alleged pirates last year, compared with more
than 400 in 2010.
The FCC has tried to encourage more diverse and
under-represented groups to start community stations
through its Low Power FM effort, but it has had its
limits.
The program has helped spawn 1,500 stations with a
reach of about 3.5 miles since 2000. But there have
been fewer opportunities in crowded urban radio markets, and anyone known to have pirated the airwaves is
barred.
Charles Clemons Muhammad, who started an unlicensed Boston station for black listeners in 2006, is
among those banned. The commission fined him
$17,000, shuttering the station in 2014. He continues
to broadcast online but must work to bring his older
listeners with him.
"I did this to give my community a 24-hour voice," he
said.
John Nathan Anderson, director of media studies and
journalism at Brooklyn College, said pirate radio
remains a "medium of last resort when you have no
other way to communicate broadly to a community."
"A lot of people look at radio as dead," he said. "But
what we're actually seeing in many respects is a renaissance of radio as it goes into its next 100 years."
Source: Startribune.com
14
FLORIDA NEWS
School Board Member Violates Florida Election
Law with Cash Loan to Campaign
By: Tom Lauder
One school board member who is facing a tough reelection battle this
August admitted she made a mistake
after violating Florida election law by
loaning her campaign a cash contribution.
Official campaign documents show
that Broward School Board Member
Rosalind Osgood, who is currently
the chair of the Broward School
Board loaned her campaign $100
cash on July 9, 2015. Two weeks
later, she contributed $1,000 in cash.
Florida election law places strict limits on cash contributions.
Florida Statute 106.09(1)(a) states,
“A person may not make an aggregate
cash contribution…to the same candidate or committee in excess of $50
per election.” According to the law,
anyone who accepts more than $50 in
cash, “commits a misdemeanor of the
first degree.” Accepting more than
$5000 is a felony. The Florida
Elections Commission can levy fines
for this type of violation.
On August 15, 2015 this reporter first
exposed Ogsood’s violations. She did
not respond to requests for comment.
According to records filed with the
Broward Supervisor of Elections
office, Osgood admitted to making a
major mistake.
On September 9, 2015, Osgood filed
an
amended
campaign treasurer’s report.
Her cash contributions were
deleted from
School Board
the
report.
Member Rosalind
They
were
Osgood
replaced
by
equal
loans
made by check. The amended complaint may not stop action by the
Florida Elections Commission if a
public complaint is filed against
Osgood.
Even though the Osgood campaign
corrected the report, questions still
remain: why did Osgood initially give
a cash contributions to her own campaign? Does she always carry around
large sums of cash?
When reached for comment via
email, Osgood explained, “I withdrew the cash from my personal
account and loaned it to my campaign
account. I then withdrew the $1,000
and wrote a check from my savings to
my campaign and made the correction online.”
This August, voters from School
Board District 5 will get to choose
between Osgood and challenger
Nathalie Lynch-Walsh. Although
Osgood does not represent Coral
Springs or Parkland, she is the current
board chair of the school board
through 2016. Coralspringstalk.com
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
LE COIN DE JOSE
15
Haiti : Un état qui s'effondre trop fièrement. 1ère partie
Dans la lettre à un ami qui tient
lieu de préface, Graham Greene
affirme avoir écrit un roman
(Les comédiens) sans implication autobiographique ; mais,
ajoute-t-il, " la pauvre Haïti (…)
et le gouvernement du docteur
Duvalier ne sont pas inventés, ce
Par Jose J Davilmar
dernier n'est même pas noirci
pour
l'effet
dramatique.
Impossible de rendre une telle nuit plus sombre.
Les tontons macoutes comptent beaucoup
d'hommes plus mauvais que Concasseur ; les
funérailles interrompues sont peintes d'après
nature ; maint Joseph chemine en boitant dans les
rues de Port-au-Prince, après son temps de torture, et, bien que je n'aie jamais rencontré le
jeune Philipot, j'ai connu (…) des guérilleros
aussi braves et aussi mal entraînés que lui ".
Duvalier ne s'y est pas trompé ; en 1968, il fit publier et diffuser dans ses ambassades européennes
une brochure (rédigée en français et en anglais) :
" Graham Greene Démasqué " (Finally Exposed)
visant à discréditer un auteur qualifié de menteur,
de crétin, d'espion et même de tortionnaire - dans
ses mémoires 1, Graham Greene ne cache pas son
étonnement face à ce dernier trait.
Donc Duvalier, sans scrupule et en mal de célébrité,
choisit d'affronter l'auteur de " Les comédiens ",
Graham Green, au lieu de briser ce miroir menteur
dans lequel il se regarda chaque jour. Connerie.
Puisque ce dernier ne fit que rapporter le vécu
d'Haïti sous un régime arriéré et arbitraire.
Incapables de nous évaluer en toute objectivité,
nous nous enlisons chaque jour, sourire aux lèvres,
dans le gouffre du " pito nou lèd nou la ".
Présentement, nous payons le lourd prix de laisser
la direction du pays à des nuls. Ces gens qui ne veulent rien entendre. Évidemment, les défis se sont
multipliés, les enjeux plus dangereux et les inégalités accrues pour faire du pays la risée du monde, la
queue du peloton parce que d'après l'illustre
Edmond Paul, nous sommes gouvernés par des
gens qui ont la " tête en bas ". Et nous sommes
inaptes d'en tirer les leçons qui s'imposent. Notre
mentalité moutonnière et peu critique de la société
nous empêche de voir loin et annihile toute vision
anticipatrice. Nous avons érigé l'astuce en maxime
et la corruption en principe de gouvernement.
Conséquemment, en 2015, le PIB a crû de 1.7%,
loin de l'objectif de croissance de 3.6% du gouvernement. Tous les indices économiques, tournés
au rouge, prouvent l'effondrement de l'état haïtien.
De 47.13 pour un dollar en février 2015 à 62,5 gdes
aujourd'hui ; la monnaie nationale a donc perdu
33% de sa valeur réelle en un an. Le pire est peutêtre à venir puisque la stabilisation de cette unité
monétaire n'est pas pour demain. Selon IHSI, l'inflation en glissement annuel était de 6.6%. Un an
plus tard ce taux a pratiquement doublé pour atteindre 13.3% en janvier et 14.4% en février. Toutes les
prévisions admettent une accélération pour les mois
à venir.
La manne PETROCARIBE représentait près de 20
milliards de gourdes de ressource dans le budget
national. Pour cette année, le Trésor Public table
sur un apport de 6 milliards de gourdes. Cependant,
vu le niveau des prix du pétrole sur le marché mondial et les difficultés économiques au Venezuela,
Haïti devra s'attendre à un apport plus faible que
prévu. Ce qui va affecter énormément les
investissements publics financés en grande partie
par le PETROCARIBE. [1]
La production agricole continue à baisser considérablement et une croissance autour de -4% est
prévue pour cette année. La dette publique, les
arriérés de paiement, la pauvreté et l'insécurité alimentaire sont en forte hausse. Tous les compteurs
économiques classent Haïti parmi les pays à faible
revenu mais surtout confrontée à de graves obstacles structurels s'opposant à un développement
durable. Les perspectives, dans ce contexte d'incertitude généralisée, demeurent très peu optimistes et
les dangers seront indubitablement amplifiés. Le
tableau est sombre. L'état haïtien a failli. Il y a lieu
d'admettre sans hypocrisie son effondrement. La
situation ne tient qu'à une agrafe : la diaspora. Son
apport n'est plus à démontrer (on y reviendra).
Comment s'en sortir ? Ce serait, d'après le technocrate, de mettre en relief les moteurs de la croissance qui tiennent compte des contraintes, des
potentiels et de l'environnement régional et global
dans lequel s'insère l'économie haïtienne appelée à
devenir moderne, prospère et ouverte. Sortir Haïti
du " non-développement " durable à travers les
fondements de la stabilité macro-économique et la
création de richesse.
En réfléchissant sur les paradoxes en Haïti, trop
d'intellectuels haïtiens ou d'observateurs étrangers
s'enferment dans des sentiers cent fois battus au
lieu de tenir compte des subtilités socio psychologiques du pays. Évidemment le mal-être haïtien réside d'après plus d'un dans notre façon de
penser. Notre structure mentale. Un ancien
proverbe bouddhiste disait :' Quand l'élève est prêt,
le maître apparaît ; Cela signifie que quand une personne ouvre d'abord son esprit, cette personne va
trouver un enseignant, un enseignement ou une
organisation qui correspond au niveau spirituel
courant de maturité ou d'immaturité de la personne.
En d'autres mots, il y a un enseignant pour chaque
niveau de conscience.
En ce sens, les morceaux ou bribes de vérité aident
l'âme à croître si vous les intériorisez ; pendant que
le mensonge, vice des lâches, est la règle dans la
société haïtienne. La méfiance s'installe et se
cristallise dans nos échanges puisque " bonjou nou
pa la vérité ". Nous héritons d'un pays ankylosé et
inhibé. Nous avons intériorisé toutes les valeurs
négatives du marronnage. Le cerveau de l'homme
haïtien trouve toujours une échappatoire ou un artifice, invente à chaque fois des mécanismes pour
compenser ses errements. On revient toujours avec
le " se pa fot nou ". L'Haïtien ment, ruse et dissimule avec un sang-froid inébranlable. Le drame
haïtien réside dans le fait que les coquins ont plus
d'audace que les honnêtes gens. De l'esclavage et
de la lassitude des idées, est sortie une société
froide et désabusée qui est arrivée à l'indifférence
de tout. Le profil de nos dirigeants donne raison à
Machiavel qui croit que le peuple a le gouvernement qui lui convient. (à suivre)
[email protected]
REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHIQUES
[1] Le Nouvelliste : les 10 réalités économiques qui
montrent que 2016 risque d'être plus difficile que 2015.
Pitit Dessalines promet un retour dans
les rues pour manifester contre Privert
La Plateforme Pitit Dessalines annonce le retour
prochain dans les rues de ses militants non pour
s’opposer au président Privert, mais pour lui exiger
les corrections nécessaires. Le leader de la
Plateforme, Jean-Charles Moïse, annonce en ce
sens la fin de la récréation pour le PHTK.
Pour l‘ancien sénateur de la République qui maintient encore sa candidature à la présidence, la communauté internationale se trouve face à 2 choix :
accepter la Commission de Vérification, ou faire
face à un soulèvement populaire.
Dénonçant l’ingérence étrangère et la violation des
Conventions de Vienne, Jean Charles Moïse estime
que le président provisoire aurait dû déjà déclarer «
non grata » certains diplomates étrangers.
Source:Metropolehaiti.com
Prolongation du mandat de Privert ?
C’est à l’assemblée nationale qu’il revient de prolonger ou non le mandat de M. Privert au-delà du
14 mai, selon le sénateur du Centre, Francisco De
La Cruz, se référant à l’accord du 6 février. En ce
qui concerne la proposition du président provisoire relative à des élections fin-octobre, le parlementaire estime que divers secteurs devraient
en débattre pour en établir le bien-fondé.
Source:Radiokiskeya.com
US ELECTIONS
16
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
Known as presidential swing state, Florida could decide Senate control
WASHINGTON
—
Florida’s status as the most
important swing state in the
presidential race is no secret.
But the November election
could give the Sunshine
State a chance to decide
something almost as important: control of the Senate.
With Republican Marco
Rubio surrendering his seat
to run for president, Florida
has become one of a few
states with vulnerable GOPheld seats — along with
New Hampshire, Ohio,
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin
— expected to determine
whether Democrats recapture the chamber.
Only one Democratic seat,
now held by retiring
Minority Leader Harry Reid
of Nevada, is considered a
tossup.
Republicans hold 54 of the
chamber’s 100 seats, so
Democrats are hoping to
keep all their seats and
defeat at least four GOP
incumbents — five, if they
don’t win the White House
and no longer have the vice
president to break ties.
With that in mind, the
Mississippi lawmaker overseeing GOP efforts to retain
the Senate said the party
plans to make Florida a priority as soon as voters
choose a nominee Aug. 30.
“We’ll swing into action.
We’ll be on the ground that
very night,” said Sen. Roger
Wicker, who chairs the
National
Republican
Senatorial
Committee.
“Every seat ... is very important when you have a fourseat majority and 24 (total)
seats to defend."
Democrats plan to be actively engaged in Florida as
well, said Montana Sen. Jon
Tester, who chairs the
siasm for the slate of candidates so far.
“Florida has a well-earned
reputation as a swing state,
particularly in presidential
years, and 2016 will be no
different,” analyst Jennifer
Duffy wrote for the independent Cook Political
Report. “As such, it is hard
to call this (Senate) race anything but a toss-up until the
fields on both sides are settled.”
U.S. Capitol - Washington, D.C
Democratic
Senatorial
Campaign Committee and is
defending 10 Democratic
seats.
“I think that we’ve got a
great chance to pick up a
majority,’’ he said.
groups will spend this time.
But if the $80 million outside special interests poured
into North Carolina’s Senate
race two years ago is any
barometer, it could easily
exceed $100 million.
Wicker said his committee is
working to raise $62 million
this year, some of which will
end up in Florida. Tester
wouldn't say how much the
DSCC hopes to raise but
acknowledges Republicans
likely
will
outraise
Democrats.
Of course, that will depend
on how competitive the race
is viewed and how much
money is available given a
presidential contest where
super PACs have already
spent $416 million, according to the non-partisan
Center for Responsive
Politics.
“They’ve got all these dark
money, these super PACs out
there that are going to be trying to buy elections,'' he
said. "We’ve just got to outwork them."
Analysts say it’s difficult to
say which party has the edge
in Florida’s Senate race.
Much will depend on who
wins their party’s prospective nominations.
Independent money figures
to play a huge role.
Congressmen Alan Grayson
and Patrick Murphy are the
Democratic front-runners.
On the Republican side, congressmen Ron DeSantis and
David Jolly, Lt. Gov. Carlos
Lopez-Cantera, developer
Carlos Beruff, and businessman Todd Wilcox are duking
it our for the nomination.
When Rubio won his race in
2010, outside groups spent
$4.6 million on the Florida
Senate race. That surged to
$22.5 million two years later
when Democrat Bill Nelson
won re-election, due largely
to the Supreme Court’s
Citizens United ruling six
years ago loosening campaign finance restrictions.
It’s not clear how much
Polls have consistently
shown a large number of
undecided voters in both primary contests, suggesting
little knowledge of or enthu-
This space could be
YOURS!
advertise with us.
Call today
(305) 610-77481
Another factor to consider is
who will be heading the ticket.
Analysts say GOP front-runner Donald Trump’s hardline stance on immigration,
for example, could have a
detrimental effect on downticket races in states like
Florida where Hispanics
make up a key voting bloc.
Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna
College in California, said a
Trump victory in the nomination race could spur significant turnout among
Hispanics, a key voting bloc
in Florida. which would help
the Democratic Senate nominee.
He
expects
Republicans in tossup states
to keep their distance.
“The separation of power is
going to be very big this
fall,’’ Pitney said. “They’re
going to say, ‘I’m running
for the Senate and the presidency is a different race.
Next question please.' "
Wicker plans to enlist an
important and eager ally to
win the Sunshine State in
November.
“Marco Rubio is very
engaged now in making sure
we have the right climate to
win that seat and that we win
the Hispanic vote in
Florida,” the Mississippi
senator said. “He has
assured me that he is going
to be active in making sure
that our nominee … has a
great chance of success. He
wants to be succeeded by a
Republican.”
Source: Ledyard King and
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA TODAY
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
MIAMI-DADE
17
Ex-Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez Arrested for Domestic Violence
MIAMI - Carlos Alvarez, former
mayor of Miami-Dade County and
the former director of Miami-Dade
Police, was arrested on charges of
domestic violence.
night, Fernandez said she is very distraught.
Fernandez also said she is battling
cancer and undergoing chemotherapy
and didn't want to talk on camera.
According to a police report from
Coral Gables Police, Alvarez, 63,
turned himself in Wednesday and
was charged with battery.
But Fernandez did pass along a text
message she claims Alvarez sent to
her.
"I hope that you get the worst possible cancer and die a slow miserable
death you evil [blank]," the message
reads.
Alvarez was being held on $1,500
bond Wednesday afternoon. It's not
known if he has hired an attorney.
He's expected to make an appearance
in bond court Thursday.
The alleged incident occurred this
past Saturday between Alvarez and a
woman whom he has been in a relationship with for more than a decade,
according to the report.
According to police, Alvarez and the
woman were arguing over a pet cat
he wanted her to return to him. The
two started arguing, and Alvarez
grabbed the woman by both arms,
Former Miami-Dade County Mayor and Police Chief Carlos Alvarez appears in court on a
misdemeanor battery charge before Judge Tanya J. Brinkley on Thursday, April 28, 2016.
"Thank you. I wish you the very best
life has to offer you. May you live a
long and happy life," she allegedly
responded.
Photo: Roberto Koltun - [email protected]
pinned her against a wall and spat at
her, the report says.
Police say the woman's injuries were
consistent with her statement.
According to the report, the victim
and her daughter said a pattern of
domestic violence had developed
since 2013.
Alvarez was voted out of office in a
recall election in 2011 during his second term. He was elected mayor in
2004.
Source: miaminbc.com
The alleged victim is a police officer,
Evelyn Fernandez. In a text message
to an NBC 6 reporter Wednesday
First US Passenger Cruise Ship in Decades Sails to Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba -- For the first
time in nearly four decades, a U.S.
cruise ship has docked in Havana,
opening another chapter in
revived U.S.-Cuban relations after
a half-century of hostility borne of
the Cold War.
embargo on trade with Cuba officially remains in place.
The cruise ship visit comes about
a year and a half after U.S.
President Barack Obama and
Cuban President Raul Castro
renewed diplomatic relations
between the two countries.
Subsequently, the U.S. opened an
embassy in Havana and Cuba in
Washington.
The Carnival Cruise Lines'
Adonia and its 700 passengers left
the port of Miami Sunday, arriving in Cuba Monday.
"To be part of truly making history and preparing for an even more
positive future for everyone is one
of the greatest honors any company can have," Carnival chief
Arnold Donald said.
Cubans watch as the first U.S.-to-Cuba cruise ship to arrive in the island nation in decades glides
into the port of Havana on May 2, 2016. Photo AP
The Adonia will sail to Havana
twice a month.
50 years, thousands of them
drowning on the journey, but even
more reaching the U.S. and settling in a new country.
It is in marked contrast to the tens
of thousands of Cubans who fled
their homeland across the same
Florida Straits for freedom in the
United States in rickety boats and
on home-made rafts over the last
The voyage almost did not happen
after Cuban authorities initially
banned members of the Cuban
diaspora from sailing back to their
birthplace, fearing they would try
to stir up political dissent. The
This space could
be YOURS!
Advertise with us
Call today
305.610.7481
matter was settled during talks
between U.S. and Cuban officials.
Regular air service between the
U.S. and Cuba is expected to
resume later this year. The flights
and the cruise ship visits by
Carnival and other companies
planning to start service to the
Caribbean island nation could add
tens of millions of dollars to the
Cuban economy, even as a U.S.
Obama has eased trade with Cuba
through executive orders, even as
his Republican opponents in
Congress refuse to lift the embargo.
Obama made a three-day visit to
Cuba in March for talks with
Castro, a state dinner and an exhibition baseball game between the
Cuban national team and a U.S.
professional team.
Ken Bredemeier
S: Voice of America
18
SPORTS
Andre Berto stops Victor Ortiz in 4 Rounds
with good shots, letting him
get back up. I was in great
shape. I was going to catch
him.”
His opponent, the former
welterweight
champion,
took two heavy punches to
the face which put him on
the canvas. He struggled to
get to his feet and when
Berto (right), a Haitian-born fighter, began the fight by
Referee, Jack Reiss, asked him
keeping Ortiz at a distance with quick jabs and short
if he wanted to continue, he
counter right hands.
was not satisfied with Ortiz’s
response and called the fight
CARSON, USA – Andre Berto did
over.
not give Victor Ortiz a chance to
regain his legs Saturday night pound“I didn’t see it coming,” Ortiz said of
ing early and often towards a fourth
the Berto punches that dropped him.
round stoppage and victory.
“The guy doesn’t hit soft. I’ll be back.
I haven’t had the perfect career, but I
Ortiz had given Andre Berto his first
guarantee all the fans here enjoyed
loss of his career in 2011’s Fight of
my fight.”
the Year that went to a unanimous
decision against him. Berto was
The crowd showered more boos upon
knocked down in the second round
Ortiz, and some of the 7,760 fans
but shrugged it off.
even lunged at him on his way from
the ring to his dressing room, wrote
“Me, mentally, I was in dog mode,”
LA Times writer Lance Pugmire who
Berto said. “I let him walk through it
has been following this fight since it
the first time … he was the guy who
was set.
gave me my first loss and it’s been
looming for years. This time, I’m in
Andre Berto will likely get a shot at
shape and [thought] if I have to hurt
the current champion Danny Garcia
him, I will. It was the most satisfying
who was a Fox analyst during the
win of my career.”
bout. Garcia said “it was a great fight
and [Berto] is a potential matchup.
“I’m not going to let him recover
It’s an easy fight to make because we
from this one,” Berto said he thought
both fight for Premier Boxing
to himself after dropping Ortiz earlier
Champions, and it makes a lot of
in the fourth round with a vicious
sense.”
uppercut. “That was my mistake in
Source: LA Times
the first fight, knocking him down
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
LE FLORIDIEN
MAY 1 - 15, 2016 | VOL. 16 NO. 362
SPORTS
19
Karl Joseph: Raiders 'won't regret this pick ... I'm a dog'
By Scott Bair
fuel and focus to validate the Raiders’ decision to
select him so high.
Karl Joseph didn’t walk down the red carpet in
Chicago in a fancy tux prior to Thursday’s start of
the NFL Draft.
The West Virginia safety won't be in Alameda
Friday for a typical first-round pick press conference, holding a Raiders jersey before a camera
bank honoring his selection at No. 14 overall.
Joseph skipped all the glitz and glam for a trip
home. While he grew up in Orlando, Fla., his roots
stem from Haiti, an island nation south of the
Florida coast.
It was a pilgrimage he considered important. On a
day that would define his future, Joseph wanted to
remember his family’s past.
“Everybody dreams about walking across the stage
at the NFL Draft. But me, I wanted to do something that meant a lot more, and that’s being with
my family,” Joseph said in a conference call.
“Being that I was born in Haiti and not too many
people have actually done that. It’s never really
been done before so I wanted to come out here
with my family and shed some light on the country, some positives about where I’m from and give
the people something to be happy about, give my
family something to be proud and happy about. So
I wanted to come out here and just hang out and
relax with my family.”
That seems to fit Joseph’s personality. Fame isn’t
high on his priority list. Football, however, is. He’s
known as a grinder and a thumper, someone committed to his craft above all else.
He posted a photo of an angry Ray Lewis on
Instagram with a simple caption: “Nobody wants it
more than me.”
A torn ACL during his senior season has provided
“I’m so happy that the coaching staff with the
Raiders took a chance on me,” Joseph said. “I told
them once I picked up that phone, I promised they
won’t regret this pick. I’m going to show them
why they picked me at this number one pick.”
Joseph was asked to describe himself as a player.
He chose an appropriate comparison.
“I’m a dog. I’m sure all the coaching staff will tell
you that,” Joseph said. “I play with that intensity. I
play with a chip on my shoulder. I’m very confi-
“ I told them once I picked up that
phone, I promised they won’t regret
this pick. I’m going to show them
why they picked me at this number
one pick. “”
— Karl Joseph
dent in myself. I play with a deep passion and love
for the game. I don’t think there’s anybody else in
the draft that plays with more passion than me.”
Joseph was a senior captain at West Virginia, a
player coaches raved about as a leader after his
knee injury. The Raiders need that in their young
corps. They also need an intimidator in the secondary to set the tone in pass defense with Charles
Woodson retired.
“He can play at all the levels of your defense,”
Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said. “He can
come off the edge as a blitzer. He can play down in
the box. He can play center field. He’s a guy that
Pour placer une ANNONCE dans
LE FLORIDIEN
appelez 305.610.7481 ou visitez notre site internet
www.lefloridien.com
The newest member of the Oakland Raiders, Karl Joseph
elected to spend the NFL Draft weekend with his family in Haiti
rather than sit in the Green Room in Chicago. After watching
this video, we can’t blame him.
does a great job taking angles, and he’s a very
effective and efficient hitter and tackler.
“He plays with great temperament. We just think
he’s a really good football player, and he’ll have an
infectious kind of personality and demeanor about
himself. We’re really excited to get our hands on
him and looking forward to working with him.”
That work will start shortly before the Raiders
rookie minicamp. The Raiders told Joseph to stay
in Haiti for a while and report to work when it’s
mandated. That’s when he’ll immerse himself in
the playbook. His knee isn’t ready for football, so
he’ll continue rehab until his expected return to
start training camp.
“I just really can’t wait to get into the facility and
just grind and grind,” Joseph said. “That’s one
thing about me is I’m a very great worker and I
have very great work ethic, so I know once I get
into the facility and start training and getting in a
routine, I will have no problem with it.”
Source: .csnbayarea.com
20
LE FLORIDIEN • MAY 1 - 15, 2016 • VOLUME 16 No. 362