Thousands in South Florida protest violence, corruption in Haiti. Take a look for yourself
By Grethel Aguila and
Carl Juste
North Miami resident Gosainne Philipe, center, waves the Haitian flag as members of the South Florida Haitian community gather at North Miami High School at the start of the parade route. About 3,500 people joined Haitians across the U.S. and the world on Sunday, July 9, 2023 to demand relief for Haiti.
Carl Juste
cjuste@miamiherald.com
Thousands on Sunday afternoon filled the streets of North Miami in protest of ongoing gang violence, political instability and corruption in Haiti.
Protesters chanted “Jistis pou Ayiti” and “Souf pou Ayiti” — Creole for “Justice for Haiti” and “Relief for Haiti” — while waving Haitian flags. The rally was organized by Gregory Toussaint, senior pastor of Tabernacle of Glory Church in North Miami. His goal was to bring together Haitians in the U.S., Haiti, Canada and France to demand something be done.
Sunday’s rally came amid escalating violence in the Caribbean country. On Friday, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières announced suspension of all treatment at its trauma facility in the Haitian capital after about 20 armed men stormed its hospital in Tabarre.
Here’s what the scene Sunday looked like as Haitians and their allies in South Florida marched.
A marcher walks ahead of of the large crowd of about 3,500 North Miami residents, and members of the South Florida Haitian community as they joined Haitians across the United States and the world while marching towards City Hall from North Miami High School on Sunday, July 9, 2023 to demand “Relief for Haiti.” Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, left, joins in the waving of Haitian flags and chants of Haitian support as North Miami residents and members of the South Florida Haitian community gathered at North Miami High School for the start of the march. The march was in solidarity with Haitians rallying in other major American cities across the United States and the world on Sunday, July 9, 2023 to demand “Relief for Haiti.” Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Denzel Sanon, 13, left, and friend Jaivon Rameau, 11, right, sell cold water, sodas, juices and Gatorade to thirsty marchers. About 3,500 North Miami residents and members of the South Florida Haitian community joined Haitians across the U.S. and the world on Sunday, July 9, 2023 to demand relief for Haiti. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Marchers wave flags and chant words of support as members of the South Florida Haitian community joined Haitians across the U.S. and the world while marching on Sunday, July 9, 2023 to demand relief for Haiti. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
North Miami residents and members of the South Florida Haitian community gather at North Miami High School for the start of the march. About 3,500 people joined Haitians across the U.S. and the world on Sunday, July 9, 2023 to demand relief for Haiti. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Sisters Ilene Boreal, left, Ashmine Dorval, center, and Katti Bruno, right, take a picture. About 3,500 people joined Haitians across the U.S. and the world on Sunday, July 9, 2023 to demand relief for Haiti. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Grethel covers courts and the criminal justice system for the Miami Herald. She graduated from the University of Florida (Go Gators!), speaks Spanish and Arabic and loves animals, traveling, basketball and good storytelling. Grethel also attends law school part time.
