Thousands attend Little Haiti funeral for Rev. Gérard Jean-Juste

The passing of Fr. Gérard Jean-Juste forces South Florida Haitian community to reflect on its past, regard its future.

The year was 1977. Haiti's dictator, Jean-Claude ''Baby Doc'' Duvalier, was in the midst of unrelenting repression. Boatloads of Haitian refugees who arrived in South Florida were being jailed. And an unknown, feisty young man in a clerical collar marched up and down the sidewalk in front of Miami's federal building, firing up a crowd that had gathered there.

Intoxicated by his hoarse voice, the excited crowd responded to his calls of justice for Haitian refugees. 'He was going up and down the line chanting -- `Down with Duvalier,' 'Refugee Status for Haitians,' '' Rulx Jean-Bart, a leading organizer of a growing movement at the time, said of the Rev. Gérard Jean-Juste. "That is what excited us about the man.''

Memories like those were recalled Saturday as friends, family, politicians and comrades in the Haitian refugee struggle bid a final farewell to Jean-Juste, known to many simply as Jeri. His unexpected death at age 62, following complications from a stroke and respiratory problems, comes as Haitians continue to demand equal treatment under U.S. immigration policy for migrants still trying to reach South Florida's shores. His death also comes as the children of one-time refugees now fight for political and economic clout.

AT THE FUNERAL

Some 3,000 people packed the inside of Notre Dame d'Haiti Catholic Church, while thousands more stood in the rain outside to pay tribute to the Roman Catholic priest who went from a little-known figure on a Miami street corner to the central figure in the Haitian rights struggle. They considered his legacy in shaping a young but burgeoning South Florida Haitian-American community. And they reflected on the community's past and future.

''We had no access to power, we could not get into the doors, but we fought, we challenged the system,'' said Jean-Bart. "Today, we are at the door. We have a mayor, lawyers, educated kids . . . we passed the torch.'' Mourners wore buttons and T-shirts with the words ''The Struggle Continues.'' The gold casket was covered with the red and blue colors of the Haitian flag and the name of Jean-Juste inscribed on top.

Children and adults, draped in the Haitian flag, took turns standing around his coffin as the image of a younger Jean-Juste -- feeding children, behind prison bars and in the streets of Miami -- streamed across large plasma TVs set up inside and outside the church.
Local politicians as well as a delegation from Haiti were also present.

The theme ''Tout moun se moun,'' or ''Every person is a human being,'' resonated amid calls for the community to unite. Miami Archbishop John C. Favalora spoke about the importance of power with responsibility, reminding the community that despite Jean-Juste's ``own suffering with cancer, his concern was about God's people.

''He has walked his journey with you,'' Favalora said of Jean-Juste, also a champion of the poor. "He has given you hope, strength and courage, but your walk is not over.'' Favalora said Jean-Juste was among those God chooses in every generation to walk with his people. He told the crowd that Haitians have come a long way and that their future weighed heavily on Jean-Juste's heart when the two last spoke last year.

"The journey for you has not ended," he said. "The journey for Father Jean-Juste has ended."
Jean-Juste will be buried next to his mother in his birth town of Cavaillon, Haiti.

Miami Herald