News
and opinions on situation in Haiti |
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| 18/5/05 |
Flag Day: Three unarmed Haitians died from a bullet yesterday, May 18, 2005 |
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Three unarmed Haitians died from bullets yesterday, May 18, 2005. This time, it wasn’t the UN soldiers who cold-bloodedly pumped bullets into unarmed Haitians protesting the ouster of President Aristide. The demonstrators say that the UN troops did indeed provide security throughout the demonstration and protected them from the Haitian police armed by the Bush administration. Yes, the bullets pumped into these unarmed Haitians came from the gun barrels of U.S.-armed, Canadian-trained, French-supported Coup Dķetat thugs wearing police gear provide by the international community supporting the Latortue government’s death reign in Haiti. The fundamental problem with the UN’s mission in Haiti is that UN troops and CIVPOL are in Haiti to provide support for the murderous Haitian police who did yesterdayķs shooting. That is, UN troops and CIVPOL are in Haiti to uphold the foreign imposed Latortue government that would fall in a nanosecond without their presence AND to protect the people. Two incompatible goals. A farce. The UN’s presence is simply meant to stop the people from toppling a government they didn’t elect and which they despise. Since coming to Haiti, the UN soldiers have allowed the Haitian police to abuse the people of Haiti. But yesterday it was on the down low, after the demonstration, as the people where returning home and away from the media cameras. Thus, yesterday, UN units did provide security both at the front and at the back of the demonstratorsķ line. The people came out in droves. Haitian estimates range from 25,000 to 70,000 people in the streets. Of course, despite their own photos depicting an endless sea of people, AP estimates a crowd of 5,000. In Port-au-Prince yesterday several times during the demonstration the U.S.-backed Haitian police – men all dressed in black with big guns at-the-ready tried to ambush the crowd. Several times, it was a cadre of journalists and foreigners, notable among them, Kevin Pina, who quickly maneuvered their cameras in front of the men-in-black, putting themselves in the line of fire. Kevin Pina, a Western journalist, saved many Haitian lives yesterday. For that he was threatened by a Brazilian soldier who took a close-up picture of Kevin Pina as he was getting into his car after the demonstration, saying something to the effect of: “I’m going to give this to the Haitian police, so they can take care of you.” We need no further proof of the UN soldiers’ complicity in Haiti with the summary executions of innocent people who don’t swallow the Coup Dķetat agenda they are there to secure. The game that was played yesterday, with the men-in-black seemingly appearing to try to shoot the demonstrators out of the line of vision of the UN convoy rolling with the demonstrators, was a farce. The UN knows the dressed-up Haitian “police” are assassins. In fact, the international community has trained this Haitian police to be assassins. But yet it is Black Haitian youths who are deemed the bandits and demonized by the mainstream press. We need only mention the recent demonstrations of February 28 and April 27 where the Haitian “police” opened fire on unarmed demonstrators in plain sight of media cameras. This has not stopped the UN from its policy of arresting Haitians, from the populous neighborhoods, in droves, and handing them over to this death squad. This has not stopped the UN units from rolling around Haiti in their tanks during “joint,” ģpeacekeepingī operations with Haitiķs foreign-paid and sustained thugs and killers. At the May 18, 2005 protest, MINUSTHA did accompany the demonstrators continuously this time, from the beginning of the march to its end, and appeared at major intersections, not doing their usual and convenient disappearing acts when the murderous foreign-paid Haitian “police” are shooting unarmed demonstrators. But there is no doubt that yesterday it was thanks to the presence and actions of the press that no Haitians were shot dead during the course of the demonstration. Using his camera, Kevin Pina, warded off the men-in-black, postponing the killing spree. But later, on their way home, out of sight of press cameras and MINUSTHA troops, some protestors and bystanders were ambushed by the Haitian police. Three were shot dead. The men-in-black trained and sustained by the Canadians, US, UN went hunting for innocent Black blood. They picked one guy out from the crowd, riddled him with bullets. The people with this guy quickly picked him up, ran off with him in a wheelbarrow. But he died along the way. His name was Sanel Joseph from Site SolĖy 19. Sanel Joseph leaves behind a wife and two children. The Haitian thugs, wearing police uniforms and being propped-up by the US/Canada/France and the UN against the wishes of the people of Haiti, killed two others. One of those murdered was shot while on his porch on Rue St. Martin watching the returning protestors. Below is our Ezili Danto Witness report, direct from Haiti, a very detailed account on what happened yesterday at the demonstration protesting the Coup Dķetat and demanding return of President Aristide and Constitutional rule. Jean, our eyewitness, talks about two shot dead by the CIMO – special Haitian police units who wear all black. But it is three (3) unarmed Haitians who died yesterday from a Coup Dķetat bullet. A UN bullet, a US bullet, a Canadian bullet, a Haitian mercenary working with the US/UN/France/Canada’s bullet. No matter. Their hands are dripping in Haitian blood as each of these authorities insist on ignoring the peoples cry for a return of their Constitutional government and continue to cuddle the Haitian police they are training who kill unarm Haitian protestors with absolute impunity. Marguerite Laurent ****** Ezili Danto Witness Project: ML: I need to write something on how the demonstration was in general and I would also like for you to address the facts regarding deaths and injuries. You wrote to say that two people died yet other sources only mention one. I would like for you to confirm whether or not you have the victimsķ names and what happened? Jean: Well, itķs during the SolĖy demonstration. First of all SolĖy went to BĖlĖ and on the way, behind HASCO, around Brantķs factories, the men in black were standing on rooftops, automatic weapons at the ready, they were (…) at the demonstrators. While the MINUSTHA armored vehicle protected the demonstrators, they moved on indeed, going through St Martin, on to BĖlĖ. There was a first incident where a child was protected by MINUSTHA, preventing bloodshed. Indeed the men in black were on the warpath since Delma 3, they were aiming at the demonstrators, but since MINUSTHA soldiers hurriedly moved to an adjacent position, they did not shoot. When the demonstrators reached the Airport crossroad the same scenario was played out. When they got to Christ Roy and again aimed at the demonstrators, Kevin Pina (a journalist) had his camera. They stopped him and threatened him… ML: They who, MINUSTHA or the Haitian Police? Jean: Both the police and MINUSTHA threatened him. We continued on and when we reached Christ Roy the men in black arrested 5 people. They arrested 5 people that they took away to an undisclosed destination. ML: Who arrested them? Jean: The men in black… ML: So they were there? Jean: MINUSTHA was protecting the demonstration, but at every intersection the men in black would get there first and be waiting and forced MINUSTHA to hurriedly join them. This game went on and on where they would leave for the next intersection where the people had to call MINUSTHA to come and offer some protection. When we were going down from Christ Roy to Lalue, there were some MINUSTHA soldiers more interested in some young ladies than their duty. As they were chatting, and distracted, some ģdemonstratorī helped themselves to some MINUSTHA arms. They took one or two (rocket launchers?), (3 Q65 ?), and 1 Uzi. When the MINUSTHA soldiers appeared to realize what was happening, they stopped chatting, but it was too late. The perpetrators had already disappeared among the demonstrators, for it was a big crowd. As the demonstration moved on Lalue reaching the traffic signal of Rue Lama, the original protection was offered by MINUSTHA that had stopped traffic all along Lalue in order for the demonstrators to move towards BĖlĖ. When we continued towards BĖlĖ, we continued by the former National Archives, pass Lycee Petion we stumbled onto the CIMO Police along with (…), (as they were masked) only the top of their head was not camouflaged. They had occupied the whole area of the Cathedral, threatening to harm demonstrators. As Kevin Pina was at the very front of the demonstration, in a car, he hurried to their position and used his camera to again film the action. They shouted: ģwhite man get out of the way!ī He responded: ģI am a journalistī, to which they said: ģWe donķt give a damn about journalists!ī They proceeded to tell him: ģsooner or later we will find you…ī Kevin Pina proceeded to remind them that during the international press day commemorations, the colonel guaranteed protection to all journalists practicing their profession and that they could not stop a journalistķs reporting; your threatening stance (…) At this very moment, we saw four cars coming full speed towards the action. Since a few more journalists had joined Kevin Pina and myself, MINUSTHA had to follow suit, forcing by their presence the CIMO Police to stop. At that point, the demonstration engaged on the hill to bĖlĖ and that is where the SolĖy demonstrators allowed the demonstration to end and started to walk home to Site SolĖy. As they were reaching SolĖy, there is a very well known Police Officer named SovĖ. I donķt know his last name but will look for it, once I can reload my cell of minutes. He is attached to the Portail St Joseph local police precinct, near the market TĖt BĖf. He seems to belong to any and all police units. At times he will wear the black uniform, the blue or the (brown?); no one can figure out where he belongs. He came with his group and right away opened fire on the demonstrators, killing Joseph, whose last name I forgot, age 30, he died leaving to children, he lived in SolĖy 19,… ML: What is Josephķs last name? Jean: Yes, I forgot the last name, but I will find it for you. If you call back later I will then give you the name. He left 3,…no 2 children and resided in SolĖy 19 in the interior. ML: How exactly did he die, was he walking… Jean: He was part of the demonstration. He was leaving BĖlĖ reaching St Martin, around the gasoline station on St Martin. The perpetrators were hiding around the market TĖt BĖf. As the front of the demonstration was turning towards the old airport, they opened fire on the crowd. The victim was hit in the eye and fell on a pile of garbage. Right away, the SolĖy demonstrators grabbed him and ran with the body all the way to Site SolĖy. The other victim, according Rue St Martin witnesses, he resides in Rue St Martin. He was home, standing on his porch, looking at the demonstrators, he was hit by a bullet and killed on the spot. ML: Do you know his name? Jean: No, I donķt know his name, I can only find the name for the victim from SolĖy 19. ML: So the second victim resides at rue St Martin? Jean: Yes, Rue St Martin… ML: Where was the MINUSTHA contingent when these people were shooting at the demonstrators on their way home? Jean: Well, when the demonstrators were going to BĖlĖ MINUSTHA protected them. However, once they started home, back to SolĖy, MINUSTHA was no longer protecting them. They went home unprotected for MINUSTHA left them. Indeed, once they reach the Gonaive station, the men in black were about to start searching the demonstrators. As MINUSTHA was getting close the men in black let the demonstrators go. ML: OK, Thank You! Also, have you heard from the other parts of Haiti where they staged demonstrations? Jean: (brief silence) I did not hear you… ML: (repeats question)… Jean: Well, according to the reports, it was Fanmi Lavalas in large numbers that demonstrated throughout Haiti yesterday. If it had not been for what they did to the demonstrators form Site SolĖy, there would have been no arguments. MINUSTHA had stopped the traffic from Delma 2, as the demonstrators from SolĖy reached Delma 2, the mood started to change. You heard shouts of: īHere comes SolĖy!ī The demonstrators from BĖlĖ who from afar were waiting for SolĖy, as the front of the demonstration appeared exclamation of joy could be heard. Statements like: ģNow we feel SolĖy!ī Indeed, the demonstrators were bravely chanting daring slogans such as: ģIf DrĖd Wilme falls, Haiti as a country will crumble!ī The slogans also targeted the National Police spokes woman, Mrs. Coicou. The people of Site SolĖy explained that though they are held hostage, though they put them in quarantine, they expressed their conviction and determination to take to the street in spite of the imminent danger. They will accept death if they must, but will take to the street. ML: About how many people were at the demonstration? Do you have a number… an approximation? Compared it to the demonstration of the 28 or April 27? How did you evaluate the crowd? Jean: Of all the demonstrations stage since Aristideķs departure, yesterdayķs demonstration was the only one that took over Port-au-Prince. There has been no bigger demonstration than the one staged yesterday! ML: Well, thank you, thank you Jean. We will talk later to try and find out the name of the second man who died, as well as Josephķs last name. I will call you a little later. Jean: I will get the information… ML: Thank you. Weķll talk… ******* “Men anpil chay pa lou” is Kreyol for – “Many hands make light a heavy load.” Join our International Solidarity Day with Haiti for May 18, 2005 and be on Help stop the arrests and slaughters in Bel Air and Cite Soleil Right now. Go Kreyol Speakers: Keep up to date by listening to – al tande nouvel e entĖvyou ******************* |
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