Haitian singer says Marines traumatized her

[struggle4progress]

A controversial folk singer says she and her family were traumatized when U.S. Marines used explosives to enter her Haitian home earlier this month, arresting her and killing her two pet dogs in the process.

"I think none of us will ever be able to forget the inhuman treatment we were subjected to in the course of this violent action undertaken in the name of the Bush government for what he calls 'building democracy' in my homeland," said the singer, Annette Auguste, known popularly in Haiti as So Anne, Creole for Sister Anne.

In a statement distributed by her associates in Haiti, Auguste maintained that although she is being held by Haitian authorities, U.S. officials are calling the shots and "hold the keys to my jail cell."

Lt. Col. Dave Lapan, spokesman in Haiti for the Marines there, categorically denied the United States is giving orders to Haitian security forces.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/caribbean/nyc-haiti0526,0,6335340.story?coll=sfla-news-caribbean



Statement from Annette Auguste (So Anne) inside Haiti Prison
Anthony, Mercredi, 26/05/2004 - 12:10
For further background please see:
http://haitiaction.net/News/HIP/5_12_4.html
http://haitiaction.net/News/HIP/5_24_4.html

I speak to the world today as a prisoner of conscience in Haiti, held in detention for my political beliefs and convictions.

I was arrested on May 10th in Delmas, a suburb of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, by U.S. Marines who brutally assaulted my home in the middle of the night with explosives and large arms, terrorizing all within, especially the small children of my family. The only security we had was our two small dogs which they killed immediately upon entering the premises, after using explosives to blast open the front door of our home. I can never forget nor forgive the trauma these men have caused the youngest and most vulnerable of our household. Of the three teenagers and young adults who escaped arrest that night by jumping over the balcony, one suffered serious wounds that required urgent medical treatment. I think none of us will ever be able to forget the inhuman treatment we were subjected to in the course of this violent action undertaken in the name of the Bush government for what he calls “building democracy” in my homeland.
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Throughout my imprisonment, the ceaseless campaign of repression and assassination against the base of the Lavalas political party has continued. Militants of our movement who are credible and well recognized leaders in their neighborhoods are being assassinated by the new militarized police force under the control and direction of the so-called MIF, which is in reality being directed by the U.S. Marines. Leaders of our movement are still being arrested and others forced into hiding in a concerted effort to break the back of the Lavalas movement which still sees Jean-Bertrand Aristide as the only legitimate and constitutionally elected President of Haiti.
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http://www.cmaq.net/fr/node.php?id=16931

[Tinoire]

1. What an effing disgrace

although she is being held by Haitian authorities, U.S. officials are calling the shots and "hold the keys to my jail cell."


Reminds me of Nick Berg.

[PaDUer]

2. Indeed....just think..

what these guys are going to do to the american people when they come home and when the chimp orders them to "take care of us"...they've been getting a lot of practice!! Truly disgraceful!!!