Black History

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson’s Statement on the Ninth Anniversary of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “We remember all those who lost their lives and commemorate the resiliency and bravery of those who were left to piece together their homes, their families, and their country. I am encouraged by the tremendous progress that has been made in the last nine years and remain hopeful for Haiti’s future…”

Published

5 years ago

January 12, 2019

Oakland Post

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson issued the following statement on the ninth anniversary of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti:

“January 12 continues to hold significance in Haiti and for the Haitian-American community here in the United States. It marks the ninth anniversary of the day Haiti faced one the worst natural disasters in history and the start of a long, arduous rebuild,” said Congresswoman Wilson.

“We remember all those who lost their lives and commemorate the resiliency and bravery of those who were left to piece together their homes, their families, and their country. I am encouraged by the tremendous progress that has been made in the last nine years and remain hopeful for Haiti’s future,” she added.

“At the same time, we cannot ignore the conditions that belie Haiti’s progress, which is why I remain strongly in favor of extending, and not ending Temporary Protected Status for the island nation. Even as the Trump administration’s attempt to end TPS goes on trial this week, it remains clear that there is a strong need for the program, which has allowed 50,000 Haitian immigrants to live and legally work in the United States.”

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson is a fourth-term Congresswoman from Florida representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school. Congresswoman Wilson also founded and chairs the Florida Ports Caucus, a bipartisan taskforce that coordinates federal action in support of Florida’s harbors and waterways. The Florida lawmaker sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Education and the Workforce Committee.

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Related Topics:2010 earthquake in Haiti Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson Florida Temporary Protected Status Trump Administration

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Activism

S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.