NBA Star, Udonis Haslem speaks out in favor of TPS for Haitians

ON THE SET OF RICK ROSS'S CCC VIDEO SHOOT

In an interview on Wednesday, September 2, 2009, with FREE HAITI NOW, Udonis Haslem (#40), Forward-Center for the Miami Heat spoke about the widespread financial impact of Temporary Protected Status on the U.S. “I shout out TPS because whether we believe it or not, this would affect everybody,” Haslem comments. Haslam who states that Haitians are an integral part of Miami, believes that Haitians here alike everyone else in the US should have the opportunity to work and make an honest living.

Haslem is not alone in his sentiment about the importance of the Haitian community to the fabric of the American culture. Other young celebrities like Poe Boy’s Flo rida, Billy Blue, Brisco, Sak Pase Record’s Mecca aka Grimo, Iconz Music’s Ballgreazy ,Maybach Music Group’s Triple C, 99 Jamz’s DJ Griot, Grindmode, and Des Loc from Piccalo will come together on Friday, September 18th, 2009 for the Tet Ansanm (Heads United) TPS Solidarity Vigil for Haitian refugees lost at sea. They will raise their voices to call the youth to action toward President Obama to grant TPS to undocumented Haitians.

The Vigil sponsored by the Haitian Women of Miami (FANM), Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC), FREE HAITI NOW (FHN) and On Point Entertainment and Marketing (OPEM) will take place at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park starting at 3pm on September 18th. The Vigil will also feature poets, motivational speakers and local politicians.

Event Details and For More Information:

Event: Tet Ansanm TPS Solidarity Vigil

Date: Friday, September 18, 2009

Time: 3:00pm – 7:00pm

Location: Virginia Key Beach Park – 4020 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL

Hosting Agencies: FANM, FLIC, FHN, OPEM

Type: Vigil/Rally

Phone: 3057787073

Email: Francesca@floridaimmigrant.org, dmagloire@fanm.org, Francesca@onpointworld.com

Background: Temporary Protected Status is for foreign nationals currently residing in the U.S. whose homeland conditions are recognized by the US government as being temporarily unsafe or overly dangerous to return to (e.g., war, earthquake, flood, drought, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions). TPS would afford undocumented Haitians SSN, work authorization, driver licenses and opportunity to attend school while they are in the US as Haiti recovers from four devastating hurricanes in 2008.

[Via http://immigrantrightsyeswecan.wordpress.com]