PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) – Police fired volleys of tear gas yesterday to break up a large march by demonstrators calling for the ouster of President Michel Martelly.
An estimated 5 000 protesters marched through downtown Port-au-Prince, some burning tires and blocking streets in the congested capital. Police dispersed the crowd and there were no reports of serious injuries.
Andre Michel, a potential presidential candidate who was among the leaders of the protest, said the demonstrators are calling for Martelly’s removal because of widespread corruption in the government and the failure of his administration to improve jobs, schools and health care in the impoverished country.
Anti-government protests have grown increasingly common in recent months. Martelly, who is midway through a six-year term, has accused his opponents of fomenting instability that discourages foreign investment and blocking legislation that would help Haiti.
Similar protests were held last month.
