Haitians insist leader must go

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Thousands of protesters marched through the Haitian capital to the U.N. headquarters Friday in one of the largest demonstrations in a weeks-long push to oust embattled President Jovenel Moise.

At least two people were shot as police in riot gear blocked the main entrance to the airport and fired tear gas at the crowd, which threw rocks and bottles.

Carlos Dorestant, a 22year-old motorcycle driver, said he saw the man next to him shot, apparently by police, as protesters dismantled a barrier near the United Nations office.

“We are asking everyone in charge to tell Jovenel to resign,” he said, his shirt stained with blood. “The people are suffering.”

Several protesters held up signs asking the U.S. for help.

The unrest on Friday came after almost four weeks of protests in which 17 people have been reported killed, the economy has been largely paralyzed, 2 million children have been kept from going to school, and badly needed aid has been suspended, especially to rural areas. The U.S., U.N. and other international players have yet to drop their support for Moise, making it appear unlikely that he will step down, despite protests that have made gasoline, food and water scarce in some areas.

“We will continue until Jovenel leaves office,” said Sen. Sorel Jacinthe, a former Moise ally who joined the opposition earlier this year.

The opposition has rejected Moise’s call for dialogue and created a nineperson commission it says would oversee an orderly transition of power, with many demanding a more indepth investigation into corruption allegations that involve the use of funds from a Venezuela-subsidized oil program. Critics say Moise has not looked into the former top government officials accused, including ally and former President Michel Martelly.

Haitians have taken to the streets in force to protest the alleged corruption and a shortage of basic goods.