Guy Philippe urges violent revolt during Oct. 17 Dessalines protest

CAP-HAÏTIEN — On the 218th anniversary of revolutionary leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ death, former Senator, drug and money laundering convict Guy Philippe urged Haitians to engage in a physical fight for change during a protest in Jérémie. Speaking to a crowd of thousands, Philippe criticized Haitians for what he called cowardice in the face of their current struggles.

“If we need guns, let’s go get guns,” Philippe said in a video shared by Tripotay Lakay on Facebook. “I’ve always asked for peaceful revolution, but sometimes you have to fight. Today, we need to fight.”

Philippe, a former military leader, did not specify who Haitians should fight or where. Still, he identified the police as one of the country’s primary enemies, accusing them of attacking civilians. He also condemned “vagabonds” for stealing the country’s resources, leaving residents struggling to survive. Philippe added that the U.S. Embassy controls Haiti’s institutions, fueling the country’s crises.

The protest in Jérémie was part of a series of demonstrations Philippe led to demand change, with other protests taking place in Cap-Haïtien and Ouanaminthe. Demonstrators called for Haiti’s transitional government members to resign, accusing them of failing to make significant improvements.

While Philippe did not explicitly call for the government to step down, he accused three of the seven council presidents of being thieves.

The former senator hails from Pestel, a commune just about 40 miles from Jérémie, the capital city of the Grand’Anse Department. So, he has many followers there. Philippe also has a considerable number of followers in Cap-Haïtien, where he was based when he helped overthrow former President Jean Bertrand Aristide in 2004.

Philippe’s protest drew thousands in Jérémie, where he has a large following due to his roots in nearby Pestel. However, the turnout in Cap-Haïtien was noticeably smaller. Despite the large gatherings, the protests were less intense and had fewer participants than in previous years. Many residents expressed frustration that past demonstrations had not led to any real change, leading to a decline in attendance.

Philippe was released from a U.S. prison in December 2023 after serving time for drug trafficking and money laundering and was deported back to Haiti. Since his release, he has advocated for a violent revolution and led a series of protests against Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Thursday’s demonstration marked the continuation of his calls for uprising.

Commemoration in Port-au-Prince

While protests took place in Cap-Haïtien and Jérémie, the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) commemorated the 218th anniversary of Dessalines’ assassination in Port-au-Prince with a formal wreath-laying ceremony at the National Pantheon Museum of Haiti (MUPANAH). The ceremony continued at the Villa d’Accueil, where the council’s president, Leslie Voltaire, addressed the audience.

Voltaire called for reflection on Dessalines’ fight against “white supremacy” and slavery, noting the ongoing struggles that Haiti faces in the wake of the revolutionary leader’s death.

“We must end the massacres, kidnappings, corruption, and divisions,” Voltaire said. “It is unacceptable for a small group to force Haitians to abandon their country and face humiliation elsewhere.”

Voltaire stressed that Haiti’s current crisis could only be resolved through collective action, calling for patriotism and unity in honor of Dessalines’ vision of a strong, united Haiti. He acknowledged the persistent gang violence and social instability but expressed confidence that the  CPT is beginning to address the country’s most urgent challenges.

Despite the official commemoration, gang violence continued to disrupt parts of Port-au-Prince. In the commune of Tabarre, residents reported hearing automatic gunfires throughout the day, forcing some to flee their homes in fear that the situation might worsen.

Thursday’s events marked the latest chapter in Haiti’s struggle to honor its revolutionary past while facing an increasingly unstable present.

“We are better than these fratricidal struggles and the disorder that some seek to impose on our country,” Voltaire said. “The transition must provide a secure path to stability and ensure new leaders are elected in free, fair, and democratic elections.”

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Guy Philippe urges violent revolt during Oct. 17 Dessalines protest was first posted on October 18, 2024 at 10:58 am.