Battle of Vertieres - Haiti Observer Blog

Violence breaks out during Anti-Government Protest

The Martelly-Lamothe government is passing a fourth year of not holding state and local elections, and anti-government forces have taken to the streets to protest the government's inaction. In a clash between pro- and anti-government protestors in the Delmas 32 neighborhood, both sides hurled rocks and verbal accusations at each other. The riot grew out of control in no time and shots were fired, wounding three people, one sustaining serious injuries.

The Haitian National Police (HNP) used tear gas on the protestors, causing the majority of them to leave the area. When newspaper journalists tried to question Frantz Lerebours, HNP spokesman, to find out if any arrests were made, he could not verify any information for them. The protestors having moved on, continued marching, calling for Martelly's resignation. Apparently disenfranchised, they also demanded their constitutional rights to vote in the forever-pending elections.

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As the political crisis continues in Haiti between President Michel Martelly and the various groups in opposition, the two sides seem to get ready for a major fight. As far a I am concerned, they are heading straight to a total destruction, the ultimate battle, just like the one conducted by the forces of freedom during the colonization period in Saint-Domingue which was called the Battle of Vertières.

The Battle of Vertières took place less than two months before Haiti Proclamation of Independent. Probably one of the most important battles in the Haitian revolution, the battle of Vertières was between the expeditionary forces of the French and the Haitian rebels. Fought on November 18, 1803, the battle would be the second major one of the Second War of Haitian Independence, as well as the last part of the François Capois-led portion of the Haitian revolution.

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Haiti celebrates many of the same holidays Americans do, including Fourth of July, Flag Day, All Souls Day, Christopher Columbus, Easter, and Christmas.

The first holiday in Haiti is New Years Day, which lasts an entire week. The largest event of the year, Haitians prepare a feast of ham, turkey stew, black rice, and plantains. Rhum Barbancourt is also consumed. The holiday celebrates Haiti as the first black-led Republic.

Carnival, in early February, mimics Louisiana's Mardi Gras. Both atonement for sins and raucous partying before Lent begins, it is a three-day orgy of dancing, drinking, and parades.

Easter week, or Rara, has activities including politically-motivated performances, parades, and a traditional menu of fish, yams, beans, and rice.

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Haiti was marked by protest, burning tire, gas and rock throwing on November 18, 2013 as anti-government demonstrations took to the streets to show their frustration against the current government of Michel Martelly.

On the anniversary of the Battle of Vertieres, large number of people decided to send a clear message to the government of Michel Martelly that they are not satisfied with the direction of the country.

The protest that started normally in the popular neighborhoods around the capital was later met with tear gas by police in Petion-Ville and rock throwing by others.

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Here is the first video of an Anti Martelly protest made available. There have been several protests throughout the Haitian Capital as well as in the city of Cap-Haitian

It has also been reported that the participants have been victims of gas used by the Haitian Police. There have been also several instances of rock throwing.

The situation has been tense throughout the day. It definitely did not look like a regular day in Cap-Haitian. For the commemoration of the 210th anniversary of the Battle of Vertières many police officers and specialized forces were deployed in anticipation of this popular protest.

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Today, November 18, 2013 marks the Battle of Vertières near Cap-Haitian which is considered as the last major battle for Haiti Independence. If my predictions hold, today is expected to be filled with street protestation against the government of Michel Martelly

Pwal Gin Kouri nan Payi Sa Jodia!

Public protest is scheduled to take place in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitian and some major other cities throughout the country. Some will be demonstrating for and some against the Martelly Government.

What about the latest rumors out there?

On the one side, I heard that the protest will be going to Petion-Ville once again as Dessalines is trying to meet Petion. On the other side, the supporters of the government accused the opposition for accepting money from the Dominican Republic to finance the protest .

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Saint Domingue on island of Hispaniola was once the most lucrative part of French colony on the Caribbean island from 1659 to 1809. But a slave revolt in which the battle of Vertierre or Vertieres was pivotal ended the colonization. With support of British government ended the French rule in Saint Domingue and the French were forced to withdraw themselves from this European colony in 1803.

The decisive encounter between General Rochambeau of the French army and the separatist British supported leader General Jean-Jacques Dessalines is known as 'War of Vertières'. General Dessalines who was born as a slave led the struggle against the French. The British weakened the French by naval blockades and supplied weapons and ammunitions to General Dessalines. Sensing danger, Rochambeau shifted French headquarters from Port-au-Prince to Cap Français. Dessalines went on capturing places one after another like Jacmel, Cayes, Jérémie and Léogane. When the French Commander surrendered himself on October 3 at Port-au-Prince, stage for physical attack was set on Le Cap Français.

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As a reminder, Independence day in Haiti is an important holiday. we are fortunate to celebrate two important events on this day: On January 1, Haitians all over the world celebrate both New Year's Day and Independence Day.

This little nation made history on January 1, 1804 by becoming the first Black Country to gain its independence. At the same time we change the name of the country back to its original name "Ayiti", name given by the original inhabitants and before Christopher Columbus so called discovered the Island in 1492. At that point the island was named "Hispaniola"

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The battle of Vertieres near Cap-Haitian was motivated by slaves who hat the condition under which they have been living.

Napoleon was confident that slavery would be reestablished in Saint-Domingue. General Rochambeau, who succeeded Leclerc as commander of the French army in Saint-Domingue, started implementing a series of atrocities including mass hangings and drowning of slaves suspected to be involved in insurrections.

Dessalines relentlessly attacks one town after another. He started in the South of the Country with Cayes, then Jacmel, Léogane, Jérémie, Saint Marc and Port-au-Prince. These actually set the stage for the assault on le Cap Français in the last great battle of independence in Vertieres.

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Haitian historians reported that on November 18th, 1803, the last battle of the Expedition Santo Domingo with the slaves of the colony took place in Vertières near Cap-Francais known today as cap-Haitian or Cap-Haitien.

The troop commanded by General Rochambeau for the French Colonizer went head to head with the troop of General Jean-Jacques Dessalines, leader of the slave rebellion.

General François Capois, known as Capois-la-Mort led his brigade forward toward the forts of Vertieres under a storms of bullets from the forts

As he was approaching to Charrier, French fire killed a number of soldiers in the Haitian column. The Haitian soldiers closed ranks with great determination to win the battle, singing:

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