Search the web
Yahoo! NewsWelcome, sylgann
[Sign Out, My Account]
Welcome, sylgann Personalize News Home Page   -   Sign Out
Yahoo! News   Thu, Jan 08, 2004
Search   for     Advanced
News Home
Top Stories
U.S. National
Business
World
   Middle East
   Europe
Latin America
   Africa
   Asia
   Canada
   Australia/Antarctica
Most Popular
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Politics
Science
Health
Oddly Enough
Op/Ed
Local
Comics
News Photos
Most Popular
Weather
Audio/Video
Full Coverage

News Resources
Services
·Daily Emails
·Free News Alerts
 News via RSS
 
World - AP Latin America
Two Killed During Haitian Student March
AP
Wed Jan 7, 6:50 PM ET

By PAISLEY DODDS, Associated Press Writer

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - University students marched against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on Wednesday, sparking bloody clashes that left at least two people dead and more than two dozen injured.

Photo
AP Photo

 

The students and other anti-government demonstrators accuse Aristide of being power-hungry and failing to help the poor.

"Under Aristide there will be no progress," said protester Leopold Willeens, 26. "I'm the first student in my family to go to university, and I want a better life."

Aristide partisans — armed with clubs, bottles and pistols — swooped down from pickups to block the student marchers, who were joined by thousands of anti-government demonstrators shouting "Freedom!" and "Down with Aristide!"

At the beginning of the protest, Aristide partisans attacked demonstrators, hitting one with a rock and shooting another. Later, police shot and killed an Aristide supporter after he opened fire on the crowd. One anti-government protester also was shot and killed.

At another leg of the march, government partisans opened fire, wounding two demonstrators. The Aristide supporters then surrounded a group of students, stabbing one and beating six others. Students beat two Aristide supporters.

News reports said that 30 people were injured and being treated at hospitals.

Gunfire crackled throughout the day as smoke billowed from burning tire barricades. Demonstrators regrouped when Aristide supporters attacked with bullets and rocks. Organizers stopped the march when police warned they could no longer guarantee security.

In a country where an estimated 40 percent of the 8 million people are under 18, student activism carries weight.

Student protests and strikes helped oust President Elie Lescot in 1946, followed by Paul Magloire in 1956. Their opposition also led to the weakening of the Duvalier family dictatorship, which imprisoned many students during its 29-year regime until 1986.

The marchers join a swelling youth protest movement as many face a bleak future. Most Haitians are jobless or without regular work, foreign investment is at a standstill and foreign visas to countries such as the United States and France are increasingly hard to obtain.

Last month, at least two dozen students were injured in violence that broke out after police separated dozens of Aristide backers from about 100 students. Paquiot was beaten in both legs with an iron bar and at least four students were shot and wounded.

Student demonstrations have surged along with protests by others. Members of civic groups, clergy, business leaders and artists who oppose Aristide joined Wednesday's march.

Tensions have been rising since Aristide's party swept flawed 2000 legislative elections. Aristide has refused opposition calls to step down, saying he will serve out his term until 2006.


Mail to Friend  Email Story
Message Boards   Post/Read Msgs
Printer Version   Print Story
Ratings: Would you recommend this story?
Not at all 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 Highly



Prev. Story: Powell Tries to Soothe Brazil Tensions  (AP)
Next Story: Heart Attack Kills Dominica Prime Minister  (AP)

More World - Latin America Stories
· Guatemala Police Seek Gang in Man's Death   (AP)
· Mexicans Guardedly Embrace Work Program   (AP)
· Powell Tries to Soothe Brazil Tensions   (AP)
· U.N. Aids Crime Crackdown in Guatemala   (AP)
· Heart Attack Kills Dominica Prime Minister   (AP)

Weekly SpecialsADVERTISEMENT
· Buy Ink Cartridges & Refill Kits at MyInks
· FREE 3-RM DIRECTV Satellite Sys. FREE Install
· GET a DEGREE ONLINE! Fast and Free Info!
· REGAIN FINANCIAL CONTROL! Become DEBT FREE Fast!
· Free online Mortgage Refinance Quote @ Service 1 Mortgage
· Buy Ink Cartridges & Refill Kits at MyInks
· Get an MBA in as little as 10 months! FREE Info!
· Buy LifeFactor Natural HGH Spray for More Energy - $32.99
· Buy Ink Cartridges & Refill Kits at MyInks
· SAVE up to 70% on Life Insurance! Protect YOUR family today.


Copyright © 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Copyright © 2004 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Questions or Comments
Privacy Policy -Terms of Service - Copyright Policy - Ad Feedback