MECAWI Hosts Detroit Premeire of Haiti Documentary; Filmmaker Kevin Pina to Speak

Haitian youth are on the frontlines against the United Nations occupation of their country. The former government of Jean Bertrand Aristide was overthrown by the United States and France in 2004.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos.

MECAWI to Host Detroit Premeire of New Haiti Documentary

For Immediate Release

Media Advisory

Event: Premeire of Kevin Pina's Documentary on Haiti
Title: "We Must Kill the Bandits"
Guest: Kevin Pina, Haiti Information Project
Date: Saturday, May 12, 6:00 p.m.
Location: 5922 Second Avenue, Near WSU Campus
Admission: Free and Open to the General Public
For More Info: (313) 680-5508; e-mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.mecawi.org

Michigan Emergency Committee Against War & Injustice (MECAWI) to Host New Documentary on Haiti This Coming Saturday, May 12

Filmmaker Kevin Pina challenges the contemporary view of Haiti, revealing the hidden role of the 'international community' in Haitian politics. This provocative and lively film takes the viewer into parts of Haiti where few western journalists dare to tread, and includes shocking footage of unreported human rights abuses, some of which have been astonishingly conducted by United Nations Forces. Pina's film stands out because it connects the tragic events in Haiti with what he assesses as foreign intervention designed to deter democracy. Come out and learn the side of the Haiti coverage not seen in the corporate news media.

According to Haitian former political prisoner, Annette Auguste, also known as So An, "This film is truly amazing! It captures the reality of the coup against President Aristide and the continuing struggle of our people for justice. There is no other documentary like this in the world!"

Historical Background

--In 1804 Haiti's African population declares a republic after a 12 year slave revolution against French colonialism, the first and only such transformation of political power in world history.

--The United States, then a slave country, refuses to recognize Haiti for nearly six decades until the middle of the American Civil War in 1863.

--In 1915 the US Marines invade Haiti and install a puppet regime, more than 10,000 people who they call "bandits" are killed in the resistance to the occupation.

--On February 29, 2004 American Marines invade the country to topple the democratically-elected government of President Jean Bertrande-Aristide. They later hand over security operations to an United Nations "peacekeeping" force to shore up and maintain the puppet regime of Gerard Latortue.