In Some Countries, You Can Face Death For Trying To Do What Too Many Canadians Take For Granted

By Dr. Gary Screaton Page

(Niagara At Large is pleased to post another  in a series of articles by Dr. Gary Screaton Page, a Niagara, Ontario resident and a chaplain with the Niagara Regional Police Service who also assists immigrants and refugees to Canada.  In this series, he recounts the experiences some of thse newcomers he has assisted faced in their homelands and it has been necessary not to give the full name of some indiv. in their homelands.)

To become involved in the political process is not only a right for Canadians, it is a duty. Not to participate is a slap in the face to those who gave their lives that we might be free to vote for the candidates of our choice. In Romuald’s homeland, politics can be deadly.

Dr. Gary Screaton Page

 Leaving the university and his students behind, Romuald headed home. As he rode along, the wind blowing through his hair, his thoughts turned toward home and the coming election. Romuald believed he had the support he needed to win a seat in the Senate. Little did he know that what lay ahead would change his life forever.

 As Romuald neared home, he didn’t see the rope strung across the roadway but he did feel it strike hard against his chest, knocking him from his bike. Dazed, disoriented, and bleeding from hitting the ground so hard, he was unable to fend off his attackers as they fell upon him. Pushing his knee into Romuald’s back the first assailant shouted at him as he pressed a gun against Romuald’s temple, “Stay down or I’ll kill you!”

“Kill him! Kill him!” another shouted. “Please, don’t kill me. Don’t shoot me!” Romuald cried back as the third man grabbed his arms forcing them behind Romuald’s back. “Take his shoes off. Get his shoes!”

Pulling the shoes from Romuald’s feet, the first of his attackers removed the laces and others tied his hands tightly behind his back. Romuald continued to plead for his life. “I have a family. I  have children. My wife needs me.” But his pleas fell on deaf ears. “Kill him! Shoot him now!”

Romuald knew they would kill him at any moment. Still he prayed for deliverance.

“You think you can be a senator do you? You think you can run in the election? We’ll kill you first!” Now Romuald knew why he had been the target of the attack. He dared to get involved inHaiti’s politics.

“There they are—over there!” A neighbour shouted from the shadows a distance away. Hearing the commotion, he had come to investigate when he saw Romuald beset by his attackers. “Come! They’re over there!”

At that, one of the assailants stood up, gun in hand, and fired first one then another shot at the brassy neighbour. The first shot missed but the second found its mark knocking him violently backward and to the ground.

Fully expecting others to be right behind the man all three attackers left Romuald and, taking his bike with them, fled into the night.

There were no “others.” The neighbour had come alone. His bravery had saved Romuald’s life. Romuald, bleeding from his head, struggled to free himself from the bindings. As soon as he brook loose he ran to his neighbour’s side. Romuald could see the blood oozing from the bullet wound, but his courageous rescuer was alive.

Next day, safe at home, Romuald and his wife had a decision to make. If they stayed in Haiti, the men would surely try again to kill him. His assailants were clearly intent on keeping him from ever becoming a senator. However, leaving Haiti would mean leaving everything behind – their home, neighbours, extended family, the university, his career. Everything they had accomplished would be lost.

 “We’re not safe here,” Romuald affirmed. “We must go! We must protect our family. If we stay they will kill me.”

They agreed. With the help of family, some friends, and their church, Romuald, his wife and children managed to get together enough money to flee the country. And flee they did: as quickly as possible. In time, the family made their way to Matthew House inFort Erie. There they found shelter and safety.

In Canada for more than three years now, Romuald has found a position in his chosen profession. His eldest children attend university pursuing professions of their own—each one an honour student. His wife, too, has graduated and been offered a position.

Materially, contrary to what many Canadians think is true about refugees, what they left behind was more than they have here in Canada. What they have found they could not find inHaiti: freedom and opportunity to use their skills to make a significant contribution toCanada.

Romuald and his family are alive! They are also makingCanadaa better place for us all.

 Dr. Gary Screaton Page is the author of Being the Parent YOU Want to be: 12 Communication Skills for Effective Parenting. He is a Chaplain with the Niagara Regional Police Service. You may reach him at drgary@cogeco.ca.

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