24376: (news) Holmstead: AP- Police fire on peaceful protest (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: John Holmstead   <cyberkismet5@yahoo.com>

2 Killed, 12 Injured in Haiti Protest
Protesters Mark 1-Year Anniversary of Former Haiti
President's Ouster; 2 Killed, 12 Wounded
By PETER PRENGAMAN
The Associated Press

Feb. 28, 2005 - Police on Monday fired at peaceful
protesters marking the one-year anniversary of the
ouster of former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand
Aristide, and at least two people were killed and
nearly a dozen were wounded.

About 2,000 protesters waving Aristide pictures and
chugging rum started marching toward the National
Palace when they encountered a police vehicle blocking
the road in Bel Air neighborhood, an Aristide
stronghold.

As crowds passed the vehicle, police fired tear gas,
then bullets. With weapons drawn, U.N. peacekeepers
surrounded the area.

Residents carried off the body of one man who appeared
to be shot in the chest, and police removed the second
about an hour later, after firing shots in the air.

Hundreds of U.N. soldiers from Peru and Brazil had
accompanied protesters.

"This looked to be peaceful but for some reason, we
are not sure why, the Haitian police arrived and
decided to disband the demonstration," said Cmdr.
Carols Chugs Brag, a spokesman for the 7,400-member
U.N. peacekeeping mission.

Calls to police were not immediately returned.

Before police opened fire, demonstrators shouted
slogans against President Bush, whom Aristide and his
supporters blame for his Feb. 29 ouster. U.S.
officials say Aristide left voluntarily. He is now in
exile in South Africa.

"George Bush is the biggest terrorist!" the crowd
yelled before shots rang out.

U.S. troops arrived the day Aristide fled and remained
until June. Despite the presence of peacekeepers under
Brazilian command, Haiti remains unstable.

Former soldiers in the army that Aristide disbanded in
1995 led the revolt last year. The police, seen as
pawns of the U.S.-backed interim government of Prime
Minister Gerard Latortue, also have faced violent
resistance from Aristide supporters.

Latortue's government denies it has embarked on a
campaign against Aristide supporters. Hundreds are
jailed without charge, including former Prime Minister
Yvonne Neptune.

The country plans general elections in October and
November.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.



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