This Sunday, April 7, 2019 reminds us that Toussaint Louverture hero of independence, was deported to France in June 1802 and incarcerated in the autumn of the same year at Fort de Joux (Doubs, Savoie, 1,000m above sea level) at the ground floor of the dungeon, in a cell of 6.50 m by 3.90 m by order of Napoleon Bonaparte, for having opposed by the weapons, to the restoration of slavery of the blacks.

Although Bonaparte's orders stated that Toussaint Louverture was to receive a decent treatment, the harsh climate of the mountains was hard to tolerate for an already sick Caribbean man and Toussaint Louverture died in his cell on 7 April 1803.

On this day of remembrance, as every year, Lesly Condé, former Consul General of Haiti in Chicago (August 26, 2004 - May 25, 2018) does not fail to share with all Haitians his thoughts :

Message from Lesly Condé :

"It's time to reflect together on the importance of this great man's life for the history of humanity, and especially that of our Nation. At a time when the dehumanization of an entire race served the interests of the slave system, he was known for his bravery, integrity, sagacity, and unwavering devotion to the cause of human dignity.

For having established the solid foundations of the valiant fight against this sordid exploitation of the human by the human, for having fiercely defended the ideals of justice and freedom in defiance of its own privileges, Toussaint Louverture deserves to be known as the one of the most legitimate heroes the human race has ever produced.

Toussaint Louverture therefore dedicated his entire life to the struggle for universal justice and freedom. Even though his heritage belongs to the whole world, he is first of all ours. We Haitians are the deep and numerous roots to which he referred to the dark moment of his kidnapping.

If nothing prevents us from being proud of Toussaint and our unique identity from which he is at the origin, we must also honor his precious memory by practicing, like him, the self-esteem, the solidarity and an unconditional attachment to our common dignity.

At a time when our country is facing the challenges of the twenty-first century, we, like Toussaint Louverture, must be guided by wisdom, patience and determination.

Patriotically."

In addition, at the initiative of the Federation of the Haitian Diaspora in Europe "FEDHE", a group of Haitian organizations from Europe will visit this Sunday, April 7 Fort de Joux (France) to participate in the ceremony of remembrance marking the 216th anniversary of the death of Toussaint Louverture. A wreath of flowers will be deposited on the memorial of this universal hero.

SL/ HL/ HaitiLibre