Civil Disobedience

Protection

Day two of the civil disobedience, I am writing this as the UN helicopters circle the capital city Port-au-Prince. We have a good view of the city from our apartment. Yesterday we ate our breakfast on our balcony which overlooks the city, I commented to Jutta that there was a black haze in the sky, at 8.27 we received an email from the US embassy: (The U.S. Embassy has received multiple reports of angry crowds on Route de Delmas, specifically at the intersection of Delmas 32 and Delmas 33, and at Delmas 75 (near the Canadian Embassy).  There are also reports that groups of young men are stopping traffic and forcing tap-tap passengers to get out of vehicles at Gerald Bataille, the intersection of Mais Gate and Delmas 33.  At this time the Embassy is aware of barricades, burning tires, and rock throwing at the following locations:  the main Route de Delmas (multiple locations); Gerald Bataille (intersection of Mais Gate and Delmas 33); and Puits Blain/Fragneauville Road Rue Lamarre in PV Martissant Lower Delmas.) The haze in the sky was the tyres burning, we needed some food supplies, so we decided to tentatively go down to town to the local supermarket. The roads were eerily quite of traffic but the multitudes were on foot going on their business. We entered the shop and inside police and security watched our every step, we felt insecure and nervous of all the attention being paid to us. As we were leaving the shop the police officer mounted his motorcycle, I said to Jutta "this might mean trouble" we arrived back home with a huge sigh of relief, all safe and well. Upon our return we received another email from the US embassy at 9.29: (This is a follow-up to the security message to U.S. citizens earlier this morning.  Due to the large number of incidents of unrest in Port-au-Prince at this time, the U.S. Embassy is now advising personnel to shelter in place, at the Embassy, at home, or wherever they are.) At lunch time we had the all clear, the lock-down had ended and people were free to move around the city. Today schools are closed and many are staying at home, our area is bristling with activities as nieghbours find time to do repairs. We hear sirens in the distance but no clouds from burning tyres. Please pray for Haiti as it's population are unhappy with governance, all but 10 of the countries senators positions have been dissolved and the President now rules by decree. Civil disobedience is expected until the elections are held, these are already three years late. This country needs honest and trustworthy leaders. Blessings Andy & Jutta