PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) _ Haitians showed their anger over recent words and actions by U.S. President Donald Trump with a protest Thursday outside the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince.
Demonstrators gathered outside the gates of the embassy complex chanting slogans and waving signs denouncing Trump over reported disparaging remarks about Haiti and a move to end a program that gave temporary legal status to thousands of Haitians in the United States.
Signs and Creole chants by the protesters criticized reported remarks by the president last week in which he is said to have profanely labeled African countries and asked why the U.S. would want more Haitians.
“We are here today to let President Donald Trump know that we declare him persona non grata in Haiti,” said protest leader Mario Joseph, a prominent human rights lawyer and activist in the country.
The protest by fewer than 100 demonstrators was peaceful and ended without incident. Another demonstration was planned for next week.
The Haitian government said it was shocked by the reported remarks, which came on the eve of the anniversary of the country’s devastating January 2010 earthquake.
The Trump administration has said that about 60,000 Haitians who have been allowed to stay and work in the U.S. since the earthquake must leave the country in July 2019.
