17564: Lemieux: AP: Haiti Protests Draw Musicians, Artists (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: JD Lemieux <lxhaiti@yahoo.com>

Haiti Protests Draw Musicians, Artists

Tuesday December 23, 2003 9:01 PM


By PETER PRENGAMAN

Associated Press Writer

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - Some of Haiti's most famous
musicians on Tuesday held a free concert calling for
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's resignation while
artists painted rainbows over pro-government graffiti.

The coalition of more than 1,000 musicians, painters and
writers organized the demonstration at the University of
Haiti to show solidarity with students who were attacked by
Aristide partisans earlier this month.

Roots band Boukman Eksperyans, one of Haiti's most popular
music exports, performed songs calling for revolution.

``Aristide is already fired, no one wants him,'' said
Boukman's lead singer Barnaby Theodore Beaubrum, an
Aristide critic. ``We will continue the resistance until
Aristide is no longer in power.''

Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has
been in turmoil since Aristide's Lavalas Family party swept
flawed 2000 elections. Since mid-September, at least 23
people have been killed during anti-government
demonstrations.

``When I was a student here 20 years ago I used to sing
against the dictatorship,'' said Sweet Mickey singer Michel
Martelly, referring to Francois and Jean-Claude Duvalier.
``Twenty years later nothing's changed.''

Aristide's government is facing growing unrest as it
prepares for its bicentennial celebrating 200 years of
independence Jan. 1 from a slave-holding France. Government
supporters say the steady protests are meant to spoil
government-sanctioned festivities.

South African President Thabo Mbeki, who comes from the
world's youngest black republic, was scheduled to attend
the bicentennial but as of Monday, only one delegate from
the Caribbean's regional bloc had said she was coming for
the celebrations.

Lolita Applewhaite, deputy secretary general of the
15-member Caribbean Community, said she would attend but no
others had confirmed - a significant blow to the world's
oldest black republic.

In contrast, 13 of the 15 Caribbean leaders flew to Cuba
last year for a special summit celebrating 30 years of
diplomatic relations between the communist island and other
nations in the region.

Many have voiced concern over an allegation that the
government has tried to repress anti-government
demonstrations by using the police to break them up, or by
allowing Aristide supporters to use strong-arm tactics
against opponents.

On Dec. 5, at least two dozen people were injured in
violence that broke out after police separated dozens of
government supporters from about 100 students who called a
protest to demand Aristide resign.

University Rector Pierre-Marie Pacquiot was beaten in both
legs with an iron bar and at least four students were shot.
The attack is under investigation.

Aristide was ousted in a 1991 coup and restored to power in
a 1994 U.S. occupation. He stepped down in 1996 due to a
term limit and was re-elected in 2000. He has refused
opposition calls to step down, saying he will serve out his
term until 2006.


Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2003


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