S.F. demonstration for Haiti

SAN FRANCISCO--Dozens of people gathered at Powell and Market Streets on January 25 to stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti and protest the U.S. handling of the aid effort after the catastrophic earthquake.

Dave Welsh, from the Haiti Action Committee, stated, "This is one of the many actions that will be happening this week in 24 cities across the international community, demanding that the U.S. pull out the troops, and send food, water and medical aid."

Pierre LaBossiere, also of the Haiti Action Committee, addressed the crowd at the rally declaring, "Medicine is not getting to the sick. Water is not getting to the thirsty. Food is not getting to the hungry."

The Haiti Action Committee also demands the return of Jean-Bertrand Aristide to Haiti and for his party, Fanmi Lavalas, to be allowed to participate in elections again.

Whitney, a member of One Struggle, One Fight, said that she attended the protest to connect with others concerned about the U.S. distribution of aid. However, she said, the burning question on her mind was, "Is there anything that we can do?"

It begins with us demanding, as the Haiti Action Committee banner stated, that the U.S. "Respect Haiti; Send Aid Not Troops; Bring Back Aristide."