| Jean Vernet, born
in Haiti, migrated to the US at the age of 13 and
has resided in the 40th District in Brooklyn since.
Jean currently lives with his wife Yanick and their
three children Jeanick, David and Alix. Jean and
his family are active in two parishes, St. Jerome
and St. Therese of Lisieux. Mr. Vernet is the past
president of the Parish Education Commission of
St. Jerome and a current board member of Nazareth
Regional Catholic High School.
Jean has dedicated his life to community organizing.
Jean’s work has centered on housing rights, immigrants
rights, police community relations, and labor
unions.
Most recently, Jean managed the Legal Education
and Assistance Project (LEAP) for the National
Coalition for Haitian Rights. The project educates
Haitian-Americans of their rights when dealing
with the police and informs police officers of
aspects of Haitian culture that may lead to misunderstandings
and confrontations.
Jean has been active in voter education and registration
drives as well as in citizenship assistance. Jean
was one of the architects of the massive march
of April 20, 1990 when hundreds of thousands walked
across the Brooklyn Bridge to protest the designation
of Haitians and sub-Saharan Africans as particularly
susceptible to the HIV virus by the Center for
Disease Control. Subsequently, Mr. Vernet emerged
as one of the best-known spokespeople of the 3-year
long effort for the restoration of democratically
elected Haitian president Aristide after the military
coup of 1991.
Jean will bring his experience as an established
community leader to the City Council as the next
Council member for the 40th Council District.
(Statement reprinted as supplied by the candidate.)
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