New
statue symbolizes struggles BY
BROOKE PRESCOTT, Miami Herald prescott@herald.com
 A
longtime dream became a reality in the Haitian community Saturday.
The
13 ½-foot bronze statue of Toussaint L'Ouverture, founding father of Haiti,
was unveiled at North Miami Avenue and 62nd Street in Little Haiti. Beatrice
Cazeau, chairwoman of the Haitian Bicentennial Ad Hoc Committee that organized
the ceremony, said the statue symbolizes the struggles Haitians have overcome
throughout the years. ''I
hope that it stimulates conversation and encourages people to go back and read
about [L'Ouverture] and the Haitian culture,'' she said. June
Barolette thought the statue never would be erected. Now
that it stands in the heart of her neighborhood, Barolette beamed. ''It
means pride to us because as a child we would learn about [L'Ouverture],'' she
said. Designed
and sculpted by local sculptor James Mastin, the statue cost $35,000 to create,
but the entire event, along with Saturday's unveiling, cost $100,000. The
event comes a year after the celebrations commemorating Haiti's bicentennial as
the first black republic. ''I
think this is a great opportunity for the Haitian community to honor our hero
because he was a universal man,'' said Ancy Louis. For
Immediate Release
Thursday, May 19,2005
City of Miami Mayor Manny
Diaz and Commissioner
Jeffery Allen to Unveil Toussaint Louverture Statue
--Haitian Bicentennial Ad Hoc Committee and Little Haiti CommunityJoin in
celebration—
Miami,
FL—City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Commissioner Jeffery Allen and the Haitian
Bicentennial Ad Hoc Committee, will be joined by the Center for Haitian Studies,
Health and Human Services, elected officials, community leaders, civic and religious
organizations for the unveiling of the Toussaint Louverture statue on Saturday,
May 21st at the City of Miami Freedom Garden. Toussaint
Louverture led an army of run-away slaves which rebelled against and expelled
French colonists in the western part of Hispaniola during revolutionary period
of 1791 to 1804. Historically, it was the defeat of the French Expedition in Haiti
in 1803 by the slaves’ army that prevented the invasion of the United States
by the forces of Napoleon Bonaparte. The
Committee commissioned Sculptor James Mastin to construct the 13 feet tall monument,
which will stand at the corner of 62nd street and North Miami Avenue in Little
Haiti. Who:
Mayor Manny Diaz, Commissioner Jeffery Allen, the Haitian Bicentennial Ad Hoc
Committee, and the Center for Haitian Studies, Health and Human Services What:
Unveiling of Toussaint Louverture statute When:
Saturday, May 21, 2005 at 3:00p.m Where:
6135 N. Miami Avenue For
more information contact: Beatrce Cazeau, Esq- (305) 381-6002
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