Protests turn violent

last updated 8 January 2015

Port-au-Prince

An anti-government protest mushroomed into a riot in Haiti this week, when demonstrators clashed with thousands of supporters of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The two sides hurled rocks until police broke up the melee with tear gas. Two people were injured; 30 were arrested. Demonstrators called on Aristide to either open his government to opposition groups or step down. The U.S. and other countries have cut off aid since corruption-marred legislative elections three years ago. Aristide’s supporters said the president’s rivals should let him serve out his term in peace. “We want a better tomorrow,” counter-protester Jean Robert said. “But we also want to keep Aristide.”