About Us
The Quixote Center dismantles oppressive systems and structures so that vulnerable people are empowered to become the artisans of their own destiny. Inspired by liberation theology, we do this through sustainable development, U.S. policy reform, economic justice, and educational initiatives.
Latest Action
Tell your Representative to Support the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act (HR2643, S1854)
The humanitarian situation in Haiti continues to worsen as its people suffer from a crisis of gang violence and hunger, fueled by weapons and ammunition trafficked from the US. The flow of illegal weapons not only allows gangs to terrorize communities, but undermines stabilization efforts in Haiti such as long-term governance solutions and security reforms. Cutting off the financing for arms dealing in Haiti is crucial because it deprives gangs of the weapons they use to decimate communities and and commit atrocious crimes against humanity.
Join us in taking action to curtail the power of Haiti’s gangs by urging your representative to support the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act which directs sanctions at Haiti's political and economic elites who finance gangs and profit from gang violence.
Thanks to bipartisan support, this bill has a strong chance of passing in both the House and Senate.
Use this form to urge your representative to support the bill!
Recent Updates
News from the Grepen Center in Haiti
While the gangs continue to terrorize the population with gunfire, kidnappings and extortions, people do the best they can to take care of themselves and their families. There is a huge amount of fear, particularly in the capital Port-au-Prince where merchants and businesspeople are more exposed to the risk of being kidnapped for ransom. Students avoid wearing their school uniform to avoid unwanted attention and nobody dares to stay out too late.
Migration is not a “border crisis” - How trade policy fuels displacement
The news is full of talk about trade agreements. For decades, US trade policies have been designed to benefit corporations while hurting workers in the United States and elsewhere. Will new tariffs and trade agreements make things better or worse? As of this writing, it is too soon to know.
Haiti’s Latest Approach to Quell Gang Violence: Mercenaries
Haiti has turned to the privatized military industry to take on criminal gangs that have been fuelling a crisis of violence and hunger throughout Port-au-Prince and around the country. The Haitian government signed a contract this year with Erik Prince, a private military contractor and founder of Blackwater Worldwide, a company notorious for its privatized military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.