September 20, 2025

Media Contacts: press@justiceactioncenter.org,media@haitianbridge.org 

San Diego, California — Today, on the anniversary of the birth of Jean Jacques Dessalines—the revolutionary father of Haiti and architect of the world’s first successful slave revolt—the Haitian Bridge Alliance pays tribute to his audacity, courage, and unwavering belief in Black liberation. Dessalines’ triumph over colonial empires not only secured Haiti’s freedom but inspired oppressed peoples worldwide. Yet, more than two centuries later, Haiti continues to be punished for this audacity.

“Let us be clear: Haiti is suffering today not because of what our people lack, but because of the audacity of our ancestors to liberate themselves in 1804 and, by extension, Black people everywhere,” said Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of Haitian Bridge Alliance. “Dessalines taught us that freedom is non-negotiable. Yet, failed foreign policies and colonial greed continue to strangle Haiti. We refuse to allow his vision to die—we will organize, we will resist, and we will continue the struggle until Haiti is free from the shackles of imperialism.”

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ABOUT HAITIAN BRIDGE ALLIANCE

Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), also known as “The Bridge”, is a grassroots community organization that advocates for fair and humane immigration policies, foreign policy, and provides migrants and immigrants with humanitarian, legal, and social services, with a particular focus on Black migrants, the Haitian community, women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of torture and other human rights abuses. HBA also seeks to elevate the issues unique to Black migrants and build solidarity and a collective movement toward policy change. Anpil men chay pa lou (“Many hands make the load light”).
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