HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

November 19, 2010. Anti-UN protests escalate in Port-au-Prince

SOURCE: Altegrity Risk International

Anti-UN violence escalated in Port-au-Prince on November 18th, with protesters reportedly blocking roads and attacking vehicles over suspicions that peacekeepers introduced the cholera epidemic that has now killed more than 1,100 people. The protests come just a little over one week before national elections are scheduled to take place, prompting many to accuse the opposition of stirring unrest. Demonstrators on November 18th threw rocks at an office of President Rene Preval's Unity party and tore down campaign posters. Haitian police fired tear gas at protesters on the central Champ de Mars plaza, with irritants reportedly blowing into nearby tent shelters. Protesters also threw rocks at a motorcade leaving the national palace, which fired warning shots to clear a path. In the capital city, protesters have been attacking vehicles belonging to the UN and humanitarian groups.