memorial for those who died at sea

Haitian religious leaders hold memorial for migrants who died at sea

Haitian religious leaders held a memorial Mass in Little Haiti for nine migrants who died off the coast of Boynton Beach

A child's coffin placed atop an adult coffin draped in Haitian flags stood before an alter inside Notre Dame D'Haiti Catholic Church.

Monday evening, despite the rain, hundreds of people filed into the Little Haiti church to grieve on a day that is supposed to be festive -- the 206th anniversary of the Haitian flag.

May 18 marks a day of pride when Haitians in Haiti and the diaspora pay homage to the red and blue flag with great fanfare. A flag firmly connected to a history of conflict and liberty.

''But today,'' Jean Souffrant said, ``we come to mourn the death of our brothers and sisters at sea.''

The empty coffins at the interfaith memorial service were symbolic of the of nine Haitians who died in the waters off Boynton Beach on May 14 in what authorities have confirmed as a smuggling operation.

Among the fatalities: a 1-year-old child and a woman who was eight months pregnant.

''Though tears are in our eyes, we continue to hold our heads high,'' said Rev. Reginald Jean-Mary to the crowd.

Most in the audience never met the deceased or even knew their names, but like Annette Jean, they wanted to pay their respects.

''We are one family. When one Haitian suffers, we all suffer,'' Jean said.

The message, both spiritual and political was a rallying cry for Haitians to unite in their fight for temporary protected status for an estimated 30,000 Haitians living in the United States.

TPS would allow Haitians to apply for U.S. work permits during times of civil strife or natural disaster on their island nation.

''The Haitian community is missing the political clout the Cubans have. The Obama administration has not felt the pressure,'' said activist Marlene Bastien, on why TPS has not been granted after Haiti was battered by two consecutive tropical storms last year.

During a candlelight vigil during the service, emotions ran high; cries and prayers alternately spilled from the audience. One woman with tears streaming down her face shouted, ``Why the baby, lord? Why?''

''We pray for all the families who are suffering and the ones who paid the ultimate price,'' said the Rev. James Saint-Julien of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Orthodox Anglican Church.

After the memorial, pallbearer Hans Mardi said granting TPS would allow family members in the United States to send more remittances to their homeland, deterring people from attempting the deadly trip.

''We don't want any more caskets,'' he said, ``We want people in Haiti to stay in Haiti.''