Tuesday, responding to the call of the opposition parties, the anti-gouvernemetale protest began peacefully around 10:00 in the morning, before the Church of St John Bosco. Thousands of people, chanting slogans against the government, marched in slums, opposition strongholds, on the occasion of the commemoration of the 211th anniversary of the Battle of Vertières to demand the resignation of President Michel Martelly and the release of "political" prisoners.

Among the demonstrators there was among other political leaders and parliamentarians, whose Senator Moïse Jean-Charles and Deputy Arnel Bélizaire (armed), fierce opponents of President Martelly

Several clashes erupted when demonstrators, pro and anti-Martelly, clashed in the popular neighborhood of Delmas 32, by throwing stones. Gunfire from unidentified sources, were fired making at least three injured among protesters, according to the testimony of an AFP photographer. The injured were taken to hospital.

The crowd was panicked and agents of the National Police, attempting to regain control of the situation used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, whose nearly one thousand nevertheless managed to regroup to continue their march. The event, which was to end in front of the National Palace, at Champ de Mars has to turn back and disperse in front of the police.

The opposition reported at least three deaths and numerous injuries, information that has not been confirmed by either official or independent sources. Parliamentarians and leaders of organizations have accused President Martelly and Prime Minister Lamothe, of being behind the shooting, which was designed according to them, to place the blame on the leaders of the opposition.

Senators Moïse Jean-Charles and John Joël Joseph denounced what they called "the murderous attacks of pro-Martelly against peaceful demonstrators."

The Deputy Arnel Bélizaire was pointed in the violence of this Tuesday by the Government Commissioner, Me Kerson Darius Charles. After having visited wounded demonstrators to hospital La Paix in Delmas, the Deputy went voluntarily to the prosecution where the Commissioner is retracted, recognizing they had mistakenly and and left free the deputy.

Other incidents occurred a few meters from the Presidential Palace between police and students who had erected barricades of burning tires in front of the State University.

In a statement, the government condemned in the strongest terms, the incidents occurred during the opposition demonstration on 18 November.

"Some individuals, not yet identified, opened fire on demonstrators at the level of Delmas 32, making 2 wounded.

This act detrimental to the Constitution and laws of the Republic, shows the clear determination of an anti-democratic sector to destabilize the country.

Moreover, the Superior Council of National Police (CSPN), met in emergency Tuesday afternoon to make arrangements to address the situation. In addition, the prosecutor of Port-au-Prince has already opened an investigation to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The Government, presenting his sympathies to the victims, invites the public to remain calm and not to respond to incitement to violence."

HL/ HaitiLibre