Support Haitians: Massive Tuesday Rally to Back Temporary Protected Status

George Gresham. Photo. Aaron Donovan. Flickr.

As the decision whether or not to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians currently living in the US draws near, activists, labor unions, elected officials, faith leaders, and grassroots community groups have come together to demand that Haitians be allowed to stay in the United States while conditions in Haiti remain unsafe.
Representatives of labor, elected officials, community advocates, faith leaders, and more will gather at Foley Square, in downtown Manhattan at noon Tuesday, May 16, to announce a series of local and national actions demanding an extension for Haitians living under TPS.
The coalition is a broad based group of both Haitians and their supporters. They point out that the Haitians living under TPS have become productive members of American society, holding jobs and raising families that would be torn apart if they were to be deported.
Haiti itself it still reeling from a series of disasters, including an earthquake, two hurricanes, and a cholera epidemic. 50,000 Haitians are currently homeless, living in tent cities.
"We condemn this cruel decision to turn our back on our Haitian brothers and sisters," said George Gresham, President of 1199SEIU.
"1199SEIU represents more than 400,000 healthcare workers throughout the Eastern United States. When our brothers and sisters hurt, we all are hurt. America is and has always been a proud nation of immigrants."
Roseny Mompoint is from Haiti, and currently lives and works in New York under TPS, and said: “Before TPS, many of us lived out lives in the shadows. Once it was granted, I was able to find a job, pay my taxes, make a contribution both here and back home. TPS is great for me. I’m afraid I’ll be deported if it isn’t extended.”