Happy Haitian
Flag Day
"We are the sons and daughters of revolutionaries, and we must carry their legacy forward by continuing to champion their values of equity and equal justice."
Haitian Flag Day is a celebration of freedom from French colonizers, who occupied the island nation and forced Haitians into slavery. Catherine Flon, a Haitian seamstress, is widely recognized as the creator of the first flag of the independent Republic of Haiti, the first free Black republic in the Western Hemisphere. Ever since, Haiti has been an inspiration to nations around the world. Haitian Flag Day is an opportunity for us to acknowledge women's role in the revolution. Flon's story that has been passed down from generation to generation and will continue to be a celebrated part of our culture.
Statement on Haitian Flag Day
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn issued the following statement commemorating Haitian Flag Day:

"Our ancestors' great bravery is the reason we celebrate our freedom today. We are the sons and daughters of revolutionaries, and we must carry their legacy forward by continuing to champion their values of equity and equal justice. This is a historic Flag Day for New Yorkers, who are celebrating the recognition of Haitian Heritage Month in New York for the first time. At the same time, Haitians are experiencing a humanitarian crisis and migrants are enduring unimaginable traumas in their plight to get asylum. Their fates hang in the balance as a federal judge weighs the end of the oppressive Title 42. Today, we stand in solidarity with all Haitians and embrace and uplift one another."
Catherine Flon is the woman who sewed the flag of the first free Black republic; Haiti. Image by Jean E Laurent
EVENT
Haiti in Focus, in the News
New York State Legislature Designates May as Haitian...

NEW YORK, New York - The New York State Assembly has passed a resolution formally designating May as Haitian Heritage Month. It was introduced by Haitian American...

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Black History Month 2022: Haiti influence felt in NYC...

For the uninformed New Yorker, immigrants from the Caribbean nation of Haiti may seem to be newcomers, but the term certainly doesn't apply broadly: Haitian immigrants have been making their voices heard and achievements noticed for hundreds of...

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Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn covering Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood. She is currently the Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), and serves on the following committees: Housing, Government Operations, Education, Banks, Health, and Higher Education. She is also a member of the Task Force on Women's Issues and sits on Governor Cuomo's Domestic Violence Advisory Council and Mayor De Blasio's MWBE Task Force.

As a current Assemblymember, District Leader, and Chair of Brooklyn Democratic Party, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn has been an outspoken advocate on issues concerning immigration, education, economic development, unemployment, education reform, health care access, senior citizen centers, affordable housing, school safety, women's and LGBTQ rights, as well as other issues affecting the quality of life in the community.
  
Learn more about 
Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn by visiting her website: