Solidarity with Haiti
We have all been shocked and appalled by the images emerging from Haiti. The TUC is collecting funds for life saving humanitarian aid to be distributed via the trade union movement in Haiti. If you haven’t given already then you can do so here: http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-17424-f0.cfm
The Batay Ouvriye Haiti Solidarity Network and Miami Autonomy and Solidarity (Miami has a large Haitian community),is also collecting funds for the Haitain union and social movement Batay Ouriye. Batay Ouriye is a workers and peasants union most well known for their work in the Industrial sweatshops and Free Trade Zones. Some of Batay Ouvriye’s members have died in the earthquake and many more have been displaced and made homeless. Still others are unemployed as their workplaces have simply been destroyed.
With the IMF reportedly demanding pay freezes and energy price hikes in exchange for help: organisations like Batay Ouriye will be crucial to the fate of the Haitian people in the coming years and must be given every assistance.
Donations can be made here: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/811/t/3678/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=5875
For more information on Batay Ouvire your can check out their website here: http://www.batayouvriye.org/English/Welcome.html
For historical background this guardian article here is very good: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/14/haiti-history-earthquake-disaster
For the current situation, check out the facebook group: No Shock Doctrine for Haiti: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=292737727221&ref=mf
And for anyone who can make it into London on the 3rd of February Cuba Solidarity are holding a benefit night at Congress House at which you can see Billy Bragg and the Cuban band, Son Mas for a very reasonable £10: http://www.concertforhaiti.co.uk/
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