protest - Haiti Observer Blog

On Friday, September 21, 2012, thousands of people took to streets in the second city of Haiti, Cap-Haitian, to demonstrate against Martelly - Lamothe government. Barricades made of tires, stones and garbage were erected in several areas of the city. Traffic was difficult in many areas and in the neighborhood of La Fossettete and Cite Lescot where the tires were burning, impossible.

The people demonstrating were throwing slogans to show their dissatisfaction with the current policy of the government. They chanted against recent increase in food price and government corruption. Some of the people in the crowd were asking for Martelly to leave the government.

Read more →  

The population has been until recently very patient with the Haitian government. In the mean time, the Martelly - Lamothe government has been trying to get the economic engine of Haiti running but to little success so far. This week, the second largest city, Cap-Haitian, and the third largest city, Les Cayes, have demonstrated publically their frustration with the current government.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in the city of Cap-Haitian on Wednesday to protest against the deterioration of their living conditions. Some of the protesters denounced the recent behavior of the government, calling it continuous propaganda campaign

Read more →  

Student protest has had a long history all over the world, dating back to at least 1229, when the University of Paris student strike occurred.

The tactic of student protesting continuously is one favored in certain parts of the world. In Chile, student protests have been taking place since 2010. They have come to be called the Chilean Winter protests due to the enormous participation that occurred in August 2011.

In Quebec, students have been protesting all during 2012 in response to large tuition hikes planned for the next five years. They are demanding tuitions be frozen and the Quebec government seek out other funding means. Students are using a number of tactics to force the government to meet their demands. Among them are whole-scale demonstrations in the streets, occupation of university buildings, and alliances with well-known radical groups. They have also done coalition-building with opposition parties, unions, and peripheral groups to force government's hand.

Read more →  

When you protest, you want your message to have maximum impact on the public and institution you are protesting against.

Non-violent protests are a way to get your issue heard without violence to mar the event. Here are guidelines to help you prepare for a non-violent demonstration.

Decide how important the issue is to you. Don't waste time if you're just planning to annoy the opposition. You want to deliver a clear and focused message.

Determine your municipality's legal requirements for holding a protest, and whether you need a permit.

Read more →  

To endure a mass demonstration, be well prepared. Since you can't predict how long a mass demonstration will last, get ready for the weather conditions. If there will be mass arrests, and other unknown contributing factors.

Apparel

Dress for comfort and the weather as you are ready to participate in a mass demonstration. Wear walking or running shoes for long hours spent on your feet marching. Protect your eyes from sun's glare and/or possible outbreaks of violence (you could get caught in cross-fire between police and agitators). Sweatshirts, hoodies, rain jackets, or other weather-appropriate gear will protect you against the elements during the long hours of demonstrating.

Read more →  

The Haiti Election results that put Mirlande Manigat and Jude Celestin in the lead to participate in the runoff election set protestation incidents all over Haiti. In Port-au-Prince, protesters set fire to the headquarter or the UNITE party, the political party of President Rene Preval and under which Jude Celestin is currently candidate.

It was reported that thousands of protesters rampaged divers neighborhoods in the capital. They set fire to the headquarter of the Unite party. We were able to see flames and smokes coming out of the facility before fire trucks arrived at the location and control the fire.

Read more →  

The results of the Haiti election 2010 put Mirlande Manigat and Jude Celestin in the lead to participate in the runoff election scheduled for January 16. However, supporters of candidates Michel Martelly, also known as Sweet Micky, did not accept the results quietly. It has been widely expected that the runoff election would be between Michel Martelly and Mirlande Manigat.

Supporters of the popular musician and presidential candidate Michel Martelly set up barricades and burned tires throughout the night and also on the day following the election results were publicized. Hundreds of protesters blocked streets, some buildings were set on fire. One protester said to the news media:" It is not power that should give power"

Read more →  

Following the results of the Haiti election 2010 published by the Provisional Electoral Council on December 7, tires were shot flames in the streets of Haiti. Many people were demanding that the election were rigged by the current government with the support of the Provisional Electoral Council.

Hundreds of protesters massed in front of the offices of the Provisional Electoral Council in Port-au-prince throwing rocks and dragging enormous garbage containers into the streets.

They were later confronted by U.N. Peacekeepers who used tear gas and bullets to evacuate the crowd.

Read more →  

The election result announced late on December 7 showed former first lady Mirlande Manigat and Rene Preval's hand picked man Jude Celestin as the two candidates that will be participating in the runoff election.

Here is another video where Rene Preval National Address The Nation Following The Result Of Haiti Election 2010:
(video not available)

Michel Martelly has 21.84 percent and Jude Celestin, 22.48 percent, a difference of less than one percent. Supporters of Michel Martelly, wrecking properties, setting barricades with stones, burning tires, or using any means available to disrupt activities. In Les Cayes, It was reported that several government buildings were burned down.

Read more →