Haitian artists stage anti-government protest

Huge crowds sang and danced in the streets of Port-au-Prince on Sunday as part of an anti-government rally organized by the art community.

Protesters are calling for President Jovenel Moise to resign amid corruption allegations, rising inflation and food and fuel shortages. Many blame him for the economic crisis, but Moise has denied any wrongdoing.

Read more: From Haiti to Madagascar: The world's forgotten crises

Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, has been rocked by weeks of violent demonstrations that have shuttered schools and businesses and brought parts of the capital to a standstill.

"We have to change the system. We do not have access to housing, we have nothing to eat ... children cannot go to school," said Michelet, a protester who declined to give his last name, in an interview with the Reuters news agency. "The cost of living is increasing and Jovenel is not doing anything serious about it."

Unlike previous protests that erupted into clashes with police, Sunday's march remained largely peaceful. Almost 20 people have been killed and nearly 200 injured in the recent unrest, according to Haiti's National Network for the Defense of Human Rights.

Moise was elected in 2017 and has two more years left in his term. During his election campaign, he promised "food on every plate and money in every pocket," but the 20% inflation rate has slashed people's purchasing power. 

Around 60% of Haiti's population of 11 million live below the poverty line of $2 (€1.80) a day.

nm/cmk (Reuters, AP)

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