On Monday, as was the case the previous week, the Haitian National Police dispersed a peaceful gathering of around fifty participants who demanded the right to life in front of the premises of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
On Tuesday, the same Haitian National Police ignored a larger demonstration which called for the reopening of certain stretches of streets blocked for months to curb kidnappings.
Monday’s protesters had banners and signs. Those of Tuesday exhibited assault rifles in the streets of the Haitian capital.
The first cried out in awe of the difficulties of living in Haiti. The latter demanded, amid the detonations of their weapons, the right to live as they saw fit in Haiti.
Of the two groups, either the authorities fear the disarmed demonstrators more than the associations of armed militants, or the authorities have assessed the balance of power and decided to face the least danger.
In either case, it is a choice of state. Public policy. An accommodation to survive.
Before the Ministry of Justice, the power in place was questioned on Monday. Tuesday, in the streets of Port-au-Prince, allies of power demanded their place at the state table. Politicians quickly figured it out and took sides.
The ballet of those who fled asphyxiated by tear gas and the march of those who blackmailed their machine guns took place before the eyes of the whole country. Without surprising or worrying many people. The state has chosen, the population also in equal silence.
So when the new president-elect of the Dominican Republic declares that Haiti is not a viable country, it is difficult to protest or take offense. It takes up the position of its predecessors. Continue reading.