- Ray Almeida: Passionate Advocate for AfricaFebruary 1, 2010
January 29 the Africanist community lost one our most passionate and effective advocates, Ray Almeida, who passed away from cardiac arrest in a Boston hospital. Ray, originally from New Bedford, Massachusetts, which is home to the largest community of immigrants from Cape Verde, was active for more than 40 years in a variety of social movements, campaigns, and public policy legislation. In 2005 he was honored with the presentation of the “Ordem Amilcar Cabral” award by His Excellency Pedro Verona Pires, President and Head of State of the Republic of Cape Verde. The TransAfrica Forum Board and staff are deeply saddened by Ray’s passing and we send our deepest condolences to the Almeida family. To read Ray’s obituary and to leave comments, please click here.
- Organizations Unite to Tell Treasury Secretary Geithner: Cancel Haiti’s Debt Now and No More Debt for DisasterJanuary 26, 2010
Today 80 US religious denominations, human rights groups, and development agencies including the Jubilee USA Network, the AFL-CIO, the ONE Campaign and TransAfrica Forum, sent a letter to US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, urging him to negotiate immediate debt cancellation for Haiti by the international financial institutions.
- RELIEF EFFORTS HINDERED DUE TO GOVERNMENT RED TAPE; HUNDREDS STARVING DESPITE THE WORLD’S GENEROSITYJanuary 19, 2010
Almost a week after a devastating earthquake in Haiti aid agencies are complaining to TransAfrica that there are huge procedural obstacles to getting food, water and medicine to the people outside of Port-au-Prince. Doctors Without Borders is reporting that the arrival of a twin-theatre inflatable hospital has been delayed because one of the planes carrying it did not get permission to land at Port-au-Prince airport on Saturday and was re-routed to the Dominican Republic. - Port-au-Prince Devastated; Haitian Red Cross Estimates 45,000 – 50,000 DeadJanuary 15, 2010
Summary and Recommendations for Recovery “The country does not have the infrastructure or resources to deal with a crisis of this magnitude, the U.S. and the international community must provide immediate medical, humanitarian, search and rescue, and additional supports as requested by the government of Haiti,” --Nicole Lee, President of TransAfrica Forum.
Summary: January 12, 2010, Haiti, was hit with a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, its most severe in 200 years. The epicenter of the quake was approximately 10 miles south of Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital and home to over 2 million people. The city is devastated and the Haitian Red Cross estimates that 45,000 – 50,000 are dead.
- “S.O.S… Port-au-Prince is Devastated…” 7.0 Earthquake Hits HaitiJanuary 13, 2010
“The country does not have the infrastructure or resources to deal with a crisis of this magnitude, the U.S. and the international community must provide immediate medical, humanitarian, search and rescue, and additional supports as requested by the government of Haiti,” --Nicole Lee, President of TransAfrica Forum.January 12, 2010 the island of Haiti, was hit with a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, its most severe in decades. The epicenter of the quake was approximately 10 miles south of Port-au-Prince, the country's capiital and home to almost 2 million people. The city, including communications and transport infrastructure, is said to have suffered "massive damage." According to Associated Press, the capital is largely destroyed, with widespread loss of life predicted.
- Dennis Brutus: Cultural ActivistJanuary 6, 2010On Saturday, December 26, 2009 South Africa—and the world—lost one of its greatest social justice fighter, Dennis Vincent Brutus at the age of 85. TransAfrica Forum extends its condolences to his entire family and friends. We will sorely miss him. Dennis Brutus epitomized the title ‘Cultural Activist.’ From early in his life until the end, he worked tirelessly for positive change in the world.
- United Nations Votes to Condemn U.S. Embargo against Cuba for 18th Consecutive YearOctober 30, 2009
For nearly two decades, the majority of the world has voiced its opposition to one of our most problematic foreign policies – the nearly 50 year U.S. trade embargo on Cuba. On October 28, 2009, the United Nations General Assembly condemned it for the eighteenth consecutive year.
- TransAfrica Forum Congratulates Edwidge Danticat, 2009 MacArthur ‘Genius Grant’September 22, 2009
The Board and Staff of TransAfrica Forum congratulate Edwidge Danticat, a 2009 MacArthur Fellow. The fellowships are awarded to creative U.S. citizens and residents who receive $500,000 over five years to be used at their discretion; this year 24 fellows were selected. Edwidge has been a tireless advocate for Haitian human rights.
- Advocacy Groups Launch Counter-Campaign to Raise Concern About $800,000 Colombia Public Relations OffensiveSeptember 8, 2009
Washington, D.C. – As the U.S. Congress launches another busy legislative session in D.C. this Fall, the Colombian government has simultaneously launched a new public relations campaign to reveal a "kinder, gentler" image of Colombia called "Colombia is Passion." Forty, 8 to 13-foot-tall, outdoor, heart sculptures will be scattered across D.C. (and later New York City and Los Angeles) with tourist information and statistics about Colombian culture and its people.
- Senator Edward M. Kennedy: Advocate for Human RightsAugust 26, 2009
It was with great sadness that TransAfrica Forum learned of the passing of Senator Edward Moore Kennedy. We would like to take this opportunity express our sincere condolences to the entire Kennedy family and friends of the Senator. The U.S. has lost one of its best public servants. Ted Kennedy’s quest for peace and justice did not end on the shores of the United States. That quest reached the African World and other parts of the globe as well.