Haitian police deployed tear gas against peaceful protesters rallying for government intervention to curb escalating gang violence in the country.
On Monday, in Haiti’s capital city, the police dispersed hundreds of non-violent protestors using tear gas. These demonstrators were seeking assistance from law enforcement to put an end to gangs that have taken over their communities through violent means.
To convey their displeasure with the police’s efforts to curb widespread gang violence in Port-au-Prince, demonstrators set fire to tires as a means of expressing frustration. Despite attempts made thus far, protesters feel that little progress has been achieved and therefore took matters into their own hands.
Marclin Jean-Pierre, a 24-year-old phone repairman who participated in the protest, stated that he took to the streets “to express my frustration with government officials who refuse to listen.”
He said that day and night there is a constant fear of being shot. Walking outside has become terrifying because anyone could be the next victim. Despite asking for assistance, nobody is coming to help us in our vulnerable state.
Since last year, gangs have been fighting to take over the hillside neighborhood of Solino where Jean-Pierre resides.
According to reports from the local media, a group of gangs under the leadership of Kempes Sanon – who was convicted for kidnapping and escaped prison in 2021- along with infamous gang leader Jimmy Cherizier aka “Barbecue” were responsible for carrying out the attacks.
Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, most areas of Haiti have fallen under gang control and currently about 80% of Port-au-Prince is held by these groups.
The gangs operating in Solino were determined to take over a crucial path, which comprised the highway that connected to the international airport of the country’s capital. Inhabitants residing nearby have been traumatized by these events and are struggling to find any viable recourse.
Although newly appointed Prime Minister Garry Conille promised to make security a top priority and around 400 Kenyan police officers have arrived as part of the UN-backed mission, numerous Haitians claim that they haven’t experienced any relief from the ongoing violence.
Last week witnessed yet another deadly prison escape, while over the years, several hundred thousand individuals were forced to abandon their residences due to violence.
The inhabitants of Solino locality held demonstrations to gain the attention of authorities and have law enforcement dispatched to combat gang activity. However, their efforts were met with resistance as they encountered blockades and subjected to tear gas spray instead.
Many individuals, including Jean-Pierre, were left with a bitter taste in their mouth as they fled from the same forces that were meant to protect them.
Jean-Pierre stated that the international community is not making sufficient efforts to cease the violence.
