This posting on disarmament touches on what a group of volunteer Haitian human rights workers has been doing for the last 3 years. The group is called AUMOHD. No need to spell out what the acronym means. Take a look at our website and you'll see their work. In particular AUMOHD has been working in the community of Grand Ravine where the infamous "soccer" massacre occurred in Aug. 05 and where again on July 7, 2006 an even worse atrocity was committed, 21 innocent people killed and 200+ homes torched creating scores of homeless refugees.

This butchery is not a simple act of gang warfare. I believe that it is what is called War by Proxy, that is, political groups backing mercenaries to pull off these horrendous human rights abuses to intimidate poor, innocent people from exercising their rights. It is not a simple matter of angry unemployed young males. In fact in Grand Ravine we've had a history of the young men being schooled in non-violent community development. But they also have chosen to belong to the Lavalas party whose popularity and success at the polls--including this year with Pres. Préval's election--makes them targets of this terrible oppression. Still AUMOHD and the people of Grand Ravin are not talking retaliation but aren't willing to lay down and take it. They seek justice in the courts.

Problem is that it costs money and much time, not to mention security for witnesses to the crimes. My group, Hurah, Inc. (Human Rights Accompaniment in Haiti) has raised a tiny amount of money to help pay for gas to keep victims and families in touch with the courts and morgues and government offices, for phone cards to keep in touch, for funeral expenses,, for ID cards requisite for filing court cases.

Hurah needs help badly at this point. To help the impoverished, yet valiant non-violent people of Grand Ravine and surrounding communities, please consider going to our website and learning more about us and donating either money or your time/accompaniment services. Or send a check to Hurah, Inc., tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corp. 1515 Fairview St. Berkeley, Ca 94703.