Several hundred people took to the streets of the city of Cayes on Monday, October 17, 2022. These citizens demonstrated on the occasion of the commemoration of the anniversary of the assassination of the founding father of the nation, Jean Jacques Dessalines. Visibly determined to thwart the Cayens who are constantly organizing anti-government mobilizations, the national police were on a war footing.
During this demonstration against the team in power, law enforcement officers used live ammunition and tear gas to great effect. They injured several people including Jameson Agenor, Leonord Titi, Jeannot Joissaint who were taken to the hospital to receive appropriate care.
Journalists were also targeted by the police who gassed media workers dedicated to covering this demonstration. Journalist Jacklin Francois was attacked again by at least one police officer who threatened him before trying to come to blows with him, according to information gathered by our correspondent in Les Cayes, John Philosca.
The protesters demanded better living conditions, the unblocking of Martissant occupied by gangs, the withdrawal of the measure on the increase of the price of fuel, the resignation of the de facto Prime Minister Ariel Henry and his government who have proved, so far, to be most incapable and cynical.
This new demonstration could not reach its final destination, however, as the police were determined to disperse the crowd. This brings to the fore the blatant inability of the forces of order to stand up to the bandits who terrorize the population. Indeed, the Varreux terminal, which stores fuel, is still under the control of armed gangs, while the few attempts by the forces of law and order to regain control of the site have ended in failure.
It should be noted that the demonstrators are accompanied most of the time by signs, launching slogans that reflect their ordeal. This, for some, is not proportional to the strength of the police. The latter, on the other hand, let the armed gangs reign supreme in the country.
