Protest

Here is a picture of the newly renovated Ciné TRIOMPHE. During a protest against the government of Michel Martelly the protesters took their frustrations on the new movie theater by vandalizing it. Many glass windows were broken by rock throwers

The rehabilitation and modernization of the "Triumph" (earlier it was called Ciné Théâtre Triomphe ), in a construction of seismic building built, began in December 2012 with a cost of around US$7 million and it was first scheduled to reopen on February 2014. However, after a series of rescheduling, the work of renovation was completed and was awaiting for inauguration in December 2014. For several years there was no proper theater in Haiti. The renovated 'Triumph' includes three areas, two movie theaters and a place reserved for conferences. Its first room has a capacity of 450 seats and a scene that can support 50 performers at a time. The second room can accommodate 306 people. Both of them have been equipped with state of the art audio and video equipments. The theater also houses well furnished, all-inclusive dressing rooms. However, on December 18, while the renovated movie house was awaiting the official inauguration, some Aristide vandals came and smashed the place into an unusable state. This is an exhibit of Aristide's power politics and Lavalas welfare philosophy for people of Haiti!

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Here is a picture of some group of Haitian protesters demanding reparations during a visit of Francois Hollande in in Haiti.

When Hollande and Martelly arrived at Champ de Mars to honor heroes of the Haitian revolution with a wreath-laying, 200 demonstrators came to voice their opinions on France's part in ruining Haiti's economy. Until the mid-20th century Haiti labored to retire the debt, but $77 million was still owing. France forgave the balance after Haiti's 2010 earthquake.

Haiti is not France's only victim of blackmail. But Martelly understands if France pays reparations to Haiti, France would be pressured to recompense other countries it has stolen from. Martelly told Hollande ". . . no compensation can repair the wounds of history . . . . Haiti has not forgotten, but Haiti is not stubborn."

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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 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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One individual uses urinate on a picture of Haitian President Michel Martelly to express his anger against the Government.

If there aren't any public conveniences (toilets) available, and nature is calling, it may not amount to an offense to 'relieve yourself' in public. If one is drunk, it could be classed as drunken disorderly; however, the walls, doors and windowsills should never be used as urinals, because it causes untold misery to the residents. Many culprits blame their behavior on a lack of public toilets, but that should never be an excuse. Although, urinating in public is illegal in every state, currently, it is not a big offense to urinate in the street, but cops can still bust you for indecent exposure, anytime. A fixed fine is a simpler and effective deterrent unless it is a big public order offense. Recently, on December 2nd, the Russian president Vladimir Putin, who is despised so much, that boys in a Ukrainian city created a picture of him melded with Hitler's distinctive mustache, and allowed locals to urinate and wipe their bottoms on his face. Such similar incident occurred earlier in Haiti on March 25, 2013 when Aristide went to court; one individual publicly urinated on a picture of Haitian President Martelly

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Haitian protest against the Government of Michel Martelly has taken a new phase. The opposition wants it to become an international matter. On Saturday, December 6, 2014 protesters called on Russian President Vladimir Putin for help as they accused the US of supporting the Government of Michel Martelly

Haitian Protesters Called On Russian President Vladimir Putin For Help

On December 6, 2014, thousands of anti-government protesters, hit the streets and had clashes with the police in the Haitian capital. They were demanding President Martelly and Prime Minister Lamothe to resign and long-overdue elections to be held. Opposition politicians regularly accuse that Martelly is deliberately postponing the election as he prefers to rule the country by order of decree. Haiti is a protectorate of US with all its 'free trade zones'. Some of the protesters were blaming the US for supporting Haiti's leadership. They were carrying pictures of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the placards and called on for his help. Many of them succeeded in reaching the National Palace. For the last two years citizens were not allowed to cross in front of the National Palace. One protester, who identified himself as Reginald, had said, this is a victory against President Martelly who is destroying our country.

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Here is a picture of a protest during the government of Jean Bertrand Aristide

The Group of 184 was led by two of the country's most reviled multimillionaires. (1) Andy Apaid, Jr., a U.S. citizen and the owner of Haiti's largest sweatshops, and (2) Reginald Boulos, owner of a Haitian pharmaceutical firm whose products had killed dozens of poor Haitians. They both had good links with the influential media (ANMH). The G184, dominated by Haitian elites, was often criticized for two main reasons: (i) while selecting members from different sectors of civil society, the selection was dominated by the representation with one special interests, i.e., private sector business associations; and (ii) A vast array of other important civil society organizations were being ignored. Their experience, expertise and advice were not sought and utilized. Once G184 became synonymous to the Haitian proverb."Bourik travay, chwal galonnen" (the donkey does the work, the horse gets the profit).

Once it was alleged that, ten of its members (anti-Aristide) representing business communities who mainly control G184 and its projects, received a funding of $23 million from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to promote and encourage their businesses and Haiti's anti-Aristide movement.

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