Protest

Here is a picture of Senator Steven Benoit as he was wounded by rubber bullet during protest.

The Government of the Republic of Haiti has expressed its anxiety over the issue that different demonstrations organized to challenge the results of recent elections are becoming increasingly violent, defying all the code of conduct for peaceful demonstrations. On November 18, 2015, one of such demonstrations has even vandalized the noble inaugural ceremony of the renovated historic site of the 'Battle of Vertières' on the day of its 212th anniversary. The protesters disobeyed the separators marking the boundary of protests and forcefully wanted to enter the premises of CEP. On November 18, 1803, Haiti won Independence from France in The Battle of Vertières. The enslaved Africans successfully led a revolution for their freedom in a two month long battle to become the first country in the world history to ban slavery and become the world's first Independent Black republic.

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Here is a picture of Rapper Izilan under the custody of Haiti Police.

Haitian Police Arrest Rapper Izolan on Trumped-Up Charges: Atmosphere of Repression Builds in Capital of Port-au-Prince

Rapper Izolan, member of LAPEH party, was arrested along with Petion-Ville deputy candidate Jacques Vilsaint. Activist Andre Fadot claimed the arrests were baseless.

The arrests followed weeks of demonstrations against the preliminary election results widely considered fraudulent.

Izolan has been released but other LAPEH party members remain incarcerated.

There has been an atmosphere of increased repression, with police fighting many thousands of protestors.

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Here is a March that was organized against Impunity in Haiti

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These riot gears used by the Haitian Police have been donated by the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office (PBSO)

Since the new year began, widespread political protests put on by the opposition and members of the Haitian public have caused the Haitian police to step up their combative measures.With many of the protests turning violent, with the burning of vehicles and the throwing of stones dominating, the authorities have taken to using the riot gear donated to them by the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office (PBSO) to quell the demonstrators. The PBSO has been giving such assistance to the country since 2010, and since then, they have made three return visits to give more aid.

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Here is a picture Assad Volcy who is in the Plateforme Pitit Dessalines, He has been one of the leaders who would not settle for anything less than the resignation of President Michel Martelly. This picture was taken during a protest on December 18, 2014

A group of protesters mobilized yet again to demonstrate for the removal of the Prime Minister and President of Haiti. Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe has already been made to resign, but it remains to be seen if this will cease the tide of demonstrations plaguing the government. One demonstrator is Assad Volcy, the coordinator of the Tèt Ansanm organization, who recently threw his hat into the ring with newly formed political party - headed by Senator Moise Jean Charles - Pitit Dessalines. Volcy said during the demonstration that only the resignation of both men would ensure favor.

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On the same day That President Michel Martelly made a public announcement to accept the recommendations of the Commission, major protests are taken place all over the Haitian Capital to demand his resignation

Président Michel Martelly accepts the recommendations of the Commission

The announcement was made during a short telecasted speech made by the President, at which the Prime Minister was present, though he did not speak. Despite these assurances from the President, many noted that he did not say the Prime Minister would step down. The uncertainty has had some doubtful as, noted by one patron who listened to the broadcast, the government has failed to fulfill promises before.

While Martelly stated unequivocally that Lamothe had been pivotal in driving the country's progress, the escalating spate of anti-government protests meant action is necessary on the part of the government. As such, the resignations of the secondary parties have been recommended to take place before December 25, 2014. These steps would allow for the formation of a new consensus government. It is to be seen if this course will appease the masses, many of whom believe the long delay is a ploy by the administration to have President Martelly free to rule by decree upon the dissolution of parliament in January.

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Here is a picture of a protest taking place on December 12, 2014 against the Government of Michel Martelly. One thing that was very different in this protest, instead of security being provided by Haitian police, this time it was reinforced by UN peacekeepers who did not hesitate to fire on the protesters.

This was taking place as the government is trying to calm the situation. Haiti's opposition parties are pleased Prime Minister Lamothe has agreed to step down. President Martelly made the decision to ask for Lamothe's resignation, following the Consultative Commission's (CC) recommendation he leave to help break the political impasse so far irresolvable.

The crisis the government faces is the possibility Martelly could rule by decree in January, if Haitians can't go to the ballot box and vote by January 11th. Failure to hold elections by then means the Senate will lack a quorum of 16 senators, and cannot hold sessions, effectively dissolving Parliament. The CC recommends a consensus government be put in place, partially made up of opposition members, and breaking up the electoral council. Lamothe appeared on a national broadcast to announce his resignation and point to his accomplishments: a reduction in poverty and cutting the crime rate in half.

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Here is a picture of Mr. Tunep Delpe spokesperson for the protest movement against President Rene Preval. The protesters are asking for the resignation of President Rene Preval without condition. Following the departure of the President, the group has a plan to establish a government of "Salut Publique" headed by the Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation. The opposition also demands the return from exile of former President Jean Bertrand Aristide. This protest march was held in Port-au-Prince in May, 2010.

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Here is a picture of a large protest against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, August 2001.

Gunfire and rock throwing were needed to disperse a protest of an anti-Lavalas demonstration, against the Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's government. The riot had sent several supporters of two opposition parties to the hospital. The incident was started when the Lavalas supporters, most of whom were armed with guns, threw stones at the Haitian Democratic Party (PADMEH, opposition and anti-Lavalas) demonstrators who were getting ready to hold a peaceful march to protest against the Lavalas regime. PADMEH demonstrators had also retaliated in kind. PADMEH leader had accused the Mayor for a planned attack on the demonstrators.

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Here is a picture of a supporter of former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide carrying a picture of his leader.

While celebrating the eighth anniversary of ouster on February 29, 2012, several thousand supporters of Jean-Bertrand Aristide accused the Martelly administration for doing nothing enough to improve people's lives. They pointed out the mounting political conflicts between the President and his critics on issues of rebuilding the nation since the 2010 earthquake. The volume of the crowd hinted the level of support for the former President. Protesters accused Martelly of holding dual citizenship that could bar him from the President's office. However, the government had firmly denied such allegation. Recently, in the last August, 2014, Aristide was summoned to testify in court before a magistrate conducting an investigation into corruption and money laundering. His supporters have warned that major protests would erupt, if any politically motivated arrest is carried out on Aristide.

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