On Wednesday, September 7, thousands of people mobilized throughout Haiti in demonstrations against the de facto government of Ariel Henry. Protests against the government have been growing as insecurity has gotten worse, and the economy continues to decline. Below is a survey of reports on Twitter about the protests from Port au Prince, Jeremie, Les Cayes, Jacmel and elsewhere.
The government, which up to now has been unable (or unwilling) to grapple with rising insecurity from gangs, mobilized the police to confront demonstrators.
A sign today protesting violence of US-trained/armed police in #Haiti against peaceful demonstrations the past two weeks.
— HaitiInfoProj (@HaitiInfoProj) September 8, 2022
Translation: "If you're wondering how much power the police have to end insecurity just wait until you have a protest against insecurity" pic.twitter.com/bFPBPZwWsf
Jeremie
In Jeremie 3 people were shot and killed during protests. The police dispersed the crowds with tear gas several times. Automatic gunfire was heard throughout the area. In nearby Château, the office of Civil Protection Operations/Grand Anse was looted.
Police reportedly fired live rounds to disperse demonstrations near Petionville
Around 1pm, Haitian police began shooting live rounds to disperse protesters as they entered #Petionville from #Delmas Reporting by @KJLAyiti
— Melinda Miles (@melindayiti) September 7, 2022
Vezon 1h, Lapolis tire anpil a bal reyel nan petionvil pou gaye manifestasyon. #Haiti #Ayiti #protest pic.twitter.com/3mP5BuCdy7
Port au Prince
Thousands of people protested in Port au Prince.
For weeks, many thousands of Haitians all across the country have taken to the streets, protesting rising prices, fuel shortages, and calling on de facto PM Henry to resign. This is from Port-au-Prince earlier today, courtesy of @viliusyvon. pic.twitter.com/JVfHBcTRSW
— Jake Johnston (@JakobJohnston) September 7, 2022
Police fired live rounds in the downtown neighborhood of Lalue in Port au Prince.
In the downtown neighborhood of Lalue in #Haiti’s capital #PortauPrince, police shot live rounds into the streets & surrounding homes during protests today. At least two people were hit & one person was killed. Reporting by @KJLAyiti pic.twitter.com/vCe38yQKmS
— Melinda Miles (@melindayiti) September 7, 2022
Jacmel
In Jacmel, demonstrations also targeted the Kwahly family, which owns multiple businesses in Jacmel, including gas stations. As demonstrators approached the Kwahly compound their passage was blocked with burning tires and automatic gunfire erupted, wounding at least four people.
Jacmel, #Haiti today. The crowd hurling insults at the Khawly colonial crime family before their paramilitary gangs opened fire. One single family controls the economy of the whole Jacmel /Southeast while the masses live in poverty. This shit needs to end. #FreeHaiti https://t.co/JFGeT5umUX pic.twitter.com/DWpwXRDGi9
— Madame Boukman - Justice 4 Haiti 🇭🇹 (@madanboukman) September 7, 2022
Les Cayes
In Les Cayes:
The city of Les Cayes is mobilizing to denounce the high cost of living, the shortage of fuel & to call for the resignation of PM @DrArielHenry. Early this Wednesday morning, burning tires were blocking several streets. Sporadic gunfire was heard throughout the evening #Haiti https://t.co/sNxDpmCaKZ
— Melinda Miles (@melindayiti) September 7, 2022
Protests in Les Cayes continue on Friday:
Troisième journée de manifestation aux Cayes ce vendredi 9 septembre.
— Le Nouvelliste (@nouvelliste) September 9, 2022
📹Jordany Junior Verdieu pic.twitter.com/ep9mTV25dX