‘Radical Jack’ Lieberman to be remembered by Miami’s Haitian community
South Florida’s Haitian and immigration activists will honor the memory of the late Jack Lieberman, an activist and organizer who dedicated his life to social justice and left-leaning causes.
The Family Action Network Movement, and other local organizations, will host a virtual memorial service for Lieberman from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, September 11 via zoom. The zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83374955632?pwd=ZXFiRGsxYk1XNkxjYWpmSUd2bzB5Zz09
Lieberman, who earned the nickname “Radical Jack” while attending Florida State University in Tallahassee, died on Aug. 30 from COVID-19-related illness at Hollywood Memorial Hospital East. He was 70. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marilyn Markus-Lieberman, and his two children.
Lieberman was a founding board member of the Haitian Refugee Center, which became a headquarters for grassroots organizing in the 1980s. He served on several boards, including the Family Action Network Movement or FANM, which was previously known as Fanm Aysien Nan Miyami/ Haitian Women of Miami, and South Florida Jobs With Justice and South Florida Interfaith Worker Justice. He was also the co-chair of JADA, the Jewish Arab Dialog Association of South Florida.
“Jack dedicated his entire life to service. He was a founder of the Little Haiti Activity Center and served on the board of the Haitian Refugee Center. He fought for the rights of others every day of his life,” said Marie-Paule Woodson, FANM board chairwoman. “It is with tremendous gratitude that we will remember and honor all he did at our public memorial and service.“
FANM and other organizations had hoped to honor Lieberman’s memory with a patriotic wake starting at the Toussaint L’Ouverture statue at Northwest 62nd Street and North Miami Avenue in Little Haiti. However, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers decided to keep the service online.
“We invite all who loved Jack, who were touched by Jack, or who admired Jack to join us in celebrating his life and legacy,” said Marleine Bastien, executive director of FANM. “We hope this memorial brings comfort to those who miss him and mourn him. From his resting place in the stars, Jack will continue to guide our path for inclusion, equity, social justice and peace. We look forward to gathering together and celebrating him and all his accomplishments.”
