Posted on 12/30/2003 7:42:18 PM PST by Indy Pendance
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Police hurled tear gas and fired warning shots in Haiti's capital Tuesday to break up a protest by thousands of government opponents, wounding at least two people.
Protesters called the march to press for the ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide as the Caribbean country prepares to mark independence day on Thursday.
The crowd of about 3,000 chanted "Down with Aristide" while marching toward downtown Port-au-Prince. About three hours into the demonstration, they were blocked by police standing shoulder-to-shoulder on a main road.
Protesters ran as officers threw tear gas canisters. Later the crowd regrouped, only to be stopped by new volleys of police tear gas and warning shots.
Journalists saw one protester who was shot in his side and another who had a gunshot wound to his hand.
Government supporters say a series of anti-government protests are meant to spoil state-sponsored celebrations recalling Haitians' independence from France on Jan. 1, 1804.
At least 41 people have been killed during anti-government demonstrations since mid-September.
Tuesday's protest came a day after thousands of Aristide supporters marched through the capital in a show of solidarity.
Aristide's opponents accuse him of doing little to pull the country out of poverty and disorder.
The president — who was ousted in a 1991 coup and restored in a 1994 U.S. invasion — says his government has made improvements despite obstacles at home and abroad.
Haiti has been in turmoil since Aristide's party swept 2000 legislative elections that the opposition says were rigged.
Government officials accuse the opposition of plotting violence to topple Aristide.
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