The Stream

Apparent lynching of Haitian in Dominican Republic sparks protests

Demonstrators in Port-au-Prince march to demand justice after Haitian man is found hanging from a tree in Dominican city of Santiago.

Thousands marched on Wednesday in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince to demand Dominicans  respect Haitians living in the Dominican Republic. A Haitian man was found hung from a tree in an apparent lynching on February 11 in the Dominican city of Santiago. The incident fueled rising tensions between the two Caribbean nations. Many Haitians believe it was a hate crime, while Dominican authorities ruled out racism and claim the man was killed, most probably, by other Haitians because of money. 

Joined by politicians, protesters marched through the streets of the Haitian capital towards the Embassy of the Dominican Republic.