Overview:
A whole lot of lecturers and college students took the streets of Cap-Haïtien to demand justice for Williamson Saint-Fleur, a public college instructor who was slapped and pushed by three law enforcement officials on Haitian Flag Day.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — In a metropolis the place police brutality has repeatedly stirred public outrage, lots of of lecturers, joined by some college students, took to the streets Friday, demanding accountability for 3 unidentified law enforcement officials who assaulted fellow instructor Williamson Saint-Fleur throughout the Haitian Flag Day mass on Could 18.
The protest, held within the heart of Cap-Haïtien, urged the justice system to impose harsher penalties on the officers—members of the particular unit related to the Ministry of Tourism, generally known as POLITOUR—who slapped and shoved Saint-Fleur outdoors the cathedral after he and different educators demonstrated for higher pay. Though the officers have reportedly confronted inside self-discipline, demonstrators argue that it’s inadequate, as residents criticize the authorities for failing to handle the continued sample of police abuse.
“As lecturers, we wish every little thing to be carried out with legality,” mentioned Judlin Pierre, coordinator of the Platform of Engaged Academics within the North (PENOR, per its French acronym). “The instructor was calmly leaving, and the officers had no proper to push or slap him. He complied and obeyed.”
Pierre additionally referred to as on the Haitian authorities to offer Saint-Fleur with reparations.
A rising motion of denunciation amid a sample of abuse
In keeping with eyewitness testimonies, Saint-Fleur, a chemistry instructor, and 5 different colleagues entered the cathedral with protest placards throughout the Could 18 service, attended by members of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT). As police demanded the group depart, Saint-Fleur initially refused however finally started strolling out—solely to be slapped within the face by a POLITOUR officer.
“We’re ready for the justice system to slice the barbaric act that occurred. The instructor was calmly leaving, so the law enforcement officials had no proper to push or slap him as a result of he complied and obeyed the law enforcement officials.”
Judlin Pierre, instructor and union coordinator
Saint-Fleur responded by putting the officer again, prompting no less than three officers to converge on him. One other officer managed to land one other blow earlier than members of the Departmental Regulation Enforcement Unit (UDMO) broke up the scuffle.
The altercation left the protesting instructor with a purple eye and torn clothes. He has not responded to The Haitian Instances’ requests for remark concerning the incident.
The violence has galvanized native educators and reignited longstanding frustrations with unchecked police aggression in Cap-Haïtien, the place related incidents have occurred in recent times.
Police misconduct will not be new to Cap-Haïtien. In February 2024, officers assaulted town’s legal professional, Charles Durand, banging his head towards a wall after a dispute over parking. Taxi drivers, particularly moto-taxi operators, say they’re often harassed and bodily assaulted throughout routine visitors stops. In a single broadly reported case, an officer was seen directing visitors whereas holding {an electrical} cable used to whip civilians.
Friday’s protest added new voices to the rising motion towards police abuse, together with that of moto-taxi driver Jeffrey Jean, who joined the march after allegedly being struck by an officer earlier this month.
“They’re abusing a number of taxi males out right here,” Jean mentioned. “The Haitian authorities must do one thing about that. These males must cease hurting us.”
Neither the Haitian Nationwide Police (PNH) nor the central authorities has publicly addressed the incident or the broader protest.
Chants for justice, requires reform
Along with denouncing the assault, protesters used the march to revive requires overdue reforms in Haiti’s schooling system. Academics have been protesting since January for regularized contracts, debit playing cards for fee, higher working situations and wage arrears.
Some placards throughout Friday’s demonstration learn in Creole: “Olye yo bay nou nominasyon, kat debi, aryere salè, se bat yap bat nou,” which means “As an alternative of hiring us, giving us debit playing cards or overdue salaries, they beat us.”
And inscriptions on others mentioned: “Minis Augustin kalòt fè nou mal, nou mande jistis,” or “Minister Augustin, getting slapped hurts, we’re asking for justice.”
Protesters additionally sang chants like “Yo ban nou kou a, kou a fè nou mal o” — “They hit us, and it hurts.”
Educators say they received’t cease protesting till justice is served and Saint-Fleur receives reparations. Within the eyes of demonstrators, the Could 18 incident is greater than an remoted act—it’s an emblem of how public servants, particularly lecturers, proceed to be undervalued and mistreated in Haiti.
“I’ve mentioned it earlier than and I’ll say it once more—town legal professional must act towards the three POLITOUR officers,” mentioned Jerry Joseph, a biology instructor and activist. “This shocked our society and shook the nation.”