“Where Democrats come together to help elect and reelect Democrats to Public office.”
Democratic Caribbean Caucus of Florida
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dr. Thomas K. Pinder DCCF State President
Mr. Barthole was critical of Senator John Kerry’s statement that he would have sent troops to put down the violence in Haiti earlier than President Bush did. Mr. Barthole went on to question that if John Kerry is elected President of the United States, would he support the current, newly installed Prime Minister? Mr. Barthole concluded that with the suggestion that the Democratic Party needs to reassess the Party’s postion on the situation in Haiti in order to maintain the loyalty of Haitian-Americans.
The DCCF State Board, first and foremost, feels that Paul Barthole is a Haitian-American activist who only wants the best for the country of Haiti and its people. The Board also believes that his concerns regarding the loyalty of the Democratic Party to the Haitian people are unfounded. While there has been differing opinion on the recent events in Haiti, the Democratic Party remains loyal to Haitians and Haitian-Americans. The DCCF State Board authorized the release of the following statement published in the Miami Herald editorials, April 2, 2004, page 24A. The DCCF wants all our members to know how we stand on this issue. The following is our response to Mr. Barthole:
THE DCCF PRESS RELEASE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
Reference Paul Barthole’s March 24 Other Views column, “Reclaim Haitian-American Loyalty.” The Democratic Caribbean Caucus of Florida (DCCF) acknowledges Barthole’s ideas and concerns regarding the continued loyalty of Haitian-Americans to the Democratic Party.
Democrats are fighting for equality and justice regarding immigration and economic issues. In fact, the DCCF was formed because the Democratic Party leadership recognized the need for an organization dedicated to the issues of concern to Caribbean-Americans. While these efforts have had a positive impact, there is a lot more work to do.
The Democratic Party and the DCCF are committed to working for the betterment of all people regardless of national origin. The DCCF urges all Haitian-Americans to look at the record and not the rhetoric.
The Democratic Party’s only wish is to bring stability and democracy to the people of Haiti. Whiel there are certainly dissenting opinions within the party as to the current situation in Haiti, it goes without saying that the party has always been on the side of the Haitian people. Working together to elect a Democrat to the White House in 2004 is the best chance to make certain that we all win.
