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Return to regular viewHaiti's opposition rallies against Aristide government, clashing again with president's supporters
MICHAEL NORTON, Associated Press Writer
Sunday, September 14, 2003
©2003 Associated Press
URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/09/14/international2346EDT0610.DTL
(09-14) 20:46 PDT CAP-HAITIEN, Haiti (AP) --
Defying threats of renewed violence, more than 4,000 opposition supporters protested President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's government Sunday and clashed with a counter-demonstration in Haiti's second largest city.
Dozens were injured by police and Aristide supporters in a similar protest Aug. 30 also in northern Cap-Haitien. The United States and the Organization of American States criticized the government for excessive force in that incident.
Sunday's protest ended with at least 13 injuries, after opposition organizers defied warnings from Aristide activists that another demonstration could produce a bloodbath.
"We won't be cowed by threats. We have a right to assemble and express our opposition to this dictatorial regime," said Jean-Robert Lalane, coordinator of the opposition North District Front.
Lalane said police had promised to protect Sunday's demonstrators, but as they traced their scheduled route through the city, they met by a pro-Aristide group of nearly 1,000.
Police attempted to halt the pro-government group's advance, firing tear gas but failing to disperse the crowd.
"We're democrats," pro-Aristide organizer Mawoum Marcellus said. "Everybody has the right to assemble and demonstrate."
The two groups then began hurling rocks and bottles at each other, prompting police to use tear gas to disperse the opposition.
Haiti's government and the opposition have been deadlocked since Aristide's Lavalas Family party swept flawed May 2000 elections. Haiti has plunged deeper into poverty and unrest, and some international lenders suspended aid to demand democratic reform and greater stability.
Aristide plans to call new legislative elections this year, but has been thwarted by the opposition's refusal to participate until the government fulfills OAS resolutions to disarm partisans, end judicial impunity and reform the police.