By Ezili Danto
Oped News
December 14, 2010
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Shameless-Douglas-Perlitz-by-Ezili-Dant--101214-858.html
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| A file photo of Douglas Perlitz, a graduate of Fairfield University, from a 2004 interview at the school. On Wednesday August 18, 2010, Douglas Perlitz pleaded guilty to one charge involving the sexual abuse of a minor boy. |
In the latest development, the defense team for convicted pedophile, Douglas Perlitz, is attempting to lessen the sentence by claiming, according to the court document , that Mr. Perlitz's ten year abuse of street boys in Haiti he raised monies to school and shelter was due to his struggles with homosexuality and the fact he was a victim of "a dark and abusive relationship," he developed with a Jesuit priest at Fairfield University shortly after his arrival on campus in 1988. (Defendant Perlitz motion to reduce sentence ; Attorneys say Perlitz victim of "abusive" relationship with priest ; Defense Claims Fairfield Priest Abused Perlitz ; Fr. Paul Carrier, S.J. Near The End Of The Line.)
One can imagine how the children of Haiti must have suffered at the hands of these two predators in Haiti. Most Haitians know that sexual abusive by foreign tourist, charity workers and priest in Haiti is a pandemic. HLLN sources report that out of every 10 Haitian families, more than half, educated in Haiti, have been molested by a priest, a missionary or charity worker. This generation of Haitians must put a stop to this vile abuse and it begins right here on December 21, 2010 at the sentencing of pedophile, Douglas Perlitz.
Recall that a year ago, referring to the Douglas case, HLLN wrote in the article entitled "The Collar of Impunity: Sexual abuse of Haiti children by Priests, Charity Workers," that:
"A recent report about sexual abuse of children maintains that for 60 years Catholic priests systematically raped 36,000 Irish children. In another recent related revelation the headlines announced: "Abuse claims against Jesuits reach 500." If this level of sexual abuse is possible in Catholic Ireland or even in the United States, imagine what totally unregulated, ex-patriot Catholic priests have been doing in Haiti and Africa for centuries!...
According to just this one small look at things in the US, more than 500 people have filed claims accusing Jesuits of sexually abusing children across the Northwest (United States) ..Among them were claims by 110 Alaska Natives...
In Haiti, the issue of the Catholic's church, other religious orders and charity workers' sexually abusing Haitian children has barely been exposed. But it has gone on, with impunity, for centuries.
In 60years Catholic priests systematically raped 36,000 Irish children - if this level of sexual abuse is possible in Catholic Ireland, imagine what perverted Catholic priests have been doing in Haiti and Africa for centuries!"
Folks, sending a deterrence message to protect our children from these malicious and hateful predators; helping the children survivors of Douglas Perlitz from sexual abuse by Jesuit and other Catholic priests, pastors and charity workers in Haiti, cannot be overstated, must be our priority and goal on December 21, 2010 at the sentencing of Perlitz. We say enough abuse. No more impunity for victimizing impoverished Haitians. Period, no comma.
We'd like everyone to please circulate HLLN's request to write to Judge Arteton asking for the maximum sentence on December 21, for convicted pedophile, Douglas Perlitz.
In the latest article from the Connecticut Post, it's also reported that:
"Sources said Monday that the judge has received dozens of letters calling for a harsh sentence from the Haitian community. Those letters come as a result of requests made by the Haitian Lawyers Leadership Network headed by (Ezili Dantò)/Marguerite Laurent and Henri Alexandre, a retired state assistant attorney general.
But Perlitz's defense countered with a letter-writing campaign of its own. His lawyers said dozens of people have written Arteton on Perlitz's behalf. "Some supporters of PPT have in the past described Doug Perlitz as the 'face of Christ on Earth,' " noted Grudberg.
"One of the great difficulties in this case is how to reconcile the Douglas Perlitz who is described in such exceptional and glowing terms in those letters with the Douglas Perlitz who has admitted engaging in sexual misconduct," the attorney wrote."
HLLN stresses that, for the minor boys Perlitz abused over a period of 10-years and the voiceless Haiti community, both at home and abroad, Perlitz was a thug and the worst of all possible predators. He preyed on poor, homeless boys with no ability to defend themselves. He use funds raised in their names to barter for sex and take away these small children's childhood and innocence. Douglas Perlitz cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, be viewed as the "face of Christ on Earth." That is simply not only slanderous to the great Nazarene but calculating, indecent, mendacious and shameless. The only regret Douglas Perlitz seem to have is that he got caught.
In fact, at Ezili's HLLN we wonder how many other poor Haiti boys, besides the eight boys and the up to 13 minors the prosecutors say they can prove Perlitz molested were victims who were bribed not to speak out. Mr. Perlitz was so remorseless, so merciless, so arrogant in his abuse that he actually continued to be with the victims by having them be brought to him in the neighboring Dominican Republic, after a warrant for his arrest was issued in Haiti and he couldn't risk getting caught in Haiti. Court documents also show evidence of odious and vindictive behavior such as victim bribery, threats, cover-up and witness tampering on Mr. Perlitz's part.
Folks, it's critical that the Ezili Network makes ramps up the letter writing to Judge Arterton asking for the maximum sentence and a stop to this detestable attempt to circumvent responsibility and avoid justice.
Also, those in East coast, please consider attending the court hearing as part of the Network delegation in to lend the Douglas victims your moral support.
Info on how to fax, for free over the internet, the letter to Judge Arteton on behalf of Haiti's children is below. Just scroll down to the "sample letter" to the judge, copy and paste and fax it to Judge Arteton.
There is no reason why we cannot go beyond dozens of letters to Judge Arteton. Please let's not miss this opportunity to make a just difference. Thank you for giving voice to the voiceless:
Action Requested: Demand maximum sentence and fines be imposed against pedophile Haiti charity worker, Douglas Perlitz. Sample letter to judge provided. Free fax info provided. You may send two faxes per day free of charge.
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