Popular Haitian-American folk singer and political activist Annette “So An” Auguste, was released in August after spending over two years in a Haitian jail. So An was jailed by US Marines shortly after the 2004 coup that ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. She joins us in our firehouse studio. [includes rush transcript] On Monday, Haitians celebrated the 203rd anniversary of their country’s independence. Over two centuries ago, on New Years’ Day, 1804, Haiti became the first independent Black republic, and the only nation ever formed by a successful slave revolt. It was almost exactly two centuries later, in February of two thousand four, that Haiti’s first democratically elected leader after centuries of dictatorship, Jean Bertrand Aristide, was ousted in a US-backed coup. Following Aristide’s removal, the interim government began a brutal crackdown on supporters of his political party, Lavalas. Many people were jailed, exiled, or killed. Among those jailed was legendary Haitian folk singer and political activist Annette Auguste, known as “So An.” After two years in prison, So An was finally released this past August. We spoke to her on Democracy Now! the day of her release, and today So An joins us here in the firehouse.

• Annette “So An” Auguste. Legendary Haitian folk singer, activist, and former political prisoner. So An spent over two years in a Haitian jail. She was jailed in 2004, shortly after the coup that ousted former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.