Aristide supporters rally in Haiti

Police fire tear gas to disperse rallyists marking ex-president’s birthday.

haiti protests
Supporters of Aristide gathered in the Haitian capital to celebrate his birthday [AFP]

The march was also meant to protest against rising food prices, which have increased poverty in Haiti, already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. 

The demonstration began when several hundred Aristide supporters gathered outside the ex-president’s former home and swelled to several thousand as they marched across the capital chanting “We need Titid” – Aristide’s nickname.

The protest was also aimed to show that Aristide and his Lavalas party are still a political force in Haiti. Five thousand people joined a march marking the fourth anniversary of his removal in February.

Aristide escaped Haiti in 2004 when he was deposed. He now lives in South Africa and accuses the US of staging the coup that ousted him – a charge Washington denies.

Source: News Agencies