The spark that lit the most recent rebellion was an announcement by the Haitian Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant that gas, diesel and kerosene prices would be raised by 38-51%. Haitians took to the streets en-masse across the country. After just two days, the growing grassroots mobilization forced the government to rescind the gas price increases. But the protests escalated into a two-day general strike, barricades blocking streets and highways in cities throughout the country. PM Jack Guy Lafontant resigned but it was too little too late. The Haitian people are demanding the removal of the US-backed and fraudulently-elected president Jovenel Moïse.
What Led To This Latest Uprising:
- The Jovenel Moïse government’s announcement of a double-digit increase in fuel prices, increasing the cost of gas by about $1.20/gallon, sparked the latest protests which began July 6th
- Government corruption including the theft of $3.8 billion from PetroCaribe by officials – those named include two former prime ministers as well as heads of private firms in Haiti.
- Ongoing attacks on Haiti’s grassroots majority, including the burning of public markets, targeting market women; government land theft and demolition of homes; teachers not being paid; attacks on student protesters; and the violence of poverty – 59% of Haitians live on less than $2/day, 24.7% on less than $1.25.
- Ongoing repression. As of July 6th, independent media on the ground Radio Timoun reported five people killed and many wounded by gunfire by police and government-sponsored paramilitary; more protestors have been killed or injured since.
- Fourteen years of corrupt government since the 2004 US-backed coup that removed Haiti’s first democratically-elected president, much loved Jean/Bertrand Aristide, and imposed a UN/US military occupation. The massive election fraud that made Jovenel Moïse president in 2017. Fanmi Lavalas, the party of Aristide and the poor majority, said on July 8th, 2018: “The cauldron of corruption and lies has been boiling non-stop 24 hours a day. The time has come to overturn it, for Haitians to begin to see the light of peace. Haiti is for all Haitians.”
The Importance of Independent Media in Haiti:
- Independent media including Radio and Tele Timoun have been vital to spread the news of what is actually going on rather than spouting the US Embassy/Haitian government line.
- Independent Haitian journalists have increasingly been targeted and some killed for reporting the truth and giving a voice to the people’s movement.
What You Can Do:
Donate to support independent GRASSROOTS MEDIA IN HAITI, so it can continue to share news and information among people in all parts of Haiti, and with the rest of the world. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund using the ‘Donate’ button. HERF’s fiscal sponsor is East Bay Sanctuary Covenant.
