Several members of the Haitian diaspora gathered outside Prime Minister Trudeau’s Montreal office on Sunday and urged his government to do more to protect their loved ones who have been hit by the crisis in their home country.
“If they have a little respect for us, [les autorités] will engage seriously and relevantly,” Wilner Cayo, president of the organization Standing for Dignity, told the Journal.
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
A few minutes later, he delivered a fiery speech to around 200 Haitians gathered on Boulevard Crémazie Est off Highway 40.
“We want a serious engagement!” he thundered repeatedly.
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
Under the spring sun that beat down on the metropolis, the protesters also chanted plenty of slogans: “Let’s stop the kidnappings”, “Canada can make a difference”, “No to corrupt politicians”.
moments of terror
Concern and anger were also palpable among those interviewed by Le Journal.
“We live in moments of terror. We live in fear, uncertainty reigns everywhere. We are being ransomed with money that we don’t even have,” lamented Holanda Beaubrun.
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
Holanda Beaubrun worries about the safety of her family in Haiti on a daily basis.
This mother has lost track of the dollars donated to help friends who have been blackmailed by violent gangs in Haiti.
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
“We wonder every day what will happen to our loved ones,” added Ms Beaubrun, whose parents and sister are always on the alert in their home country.
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
For his part, Ronalde Obas, whose shoulders were covered by a large Haitian flag, testified to the desperation that is eating away at the diaspora.
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
Ronalde Obas, whose shoulders were covered by a large Haitian flag, testified to the Journal of the desperation felt in the diaspora.
“We’re tired of seeing our children, our brothers and sisters, our cousins […] suffer and starve,” she said.
The one, who has lived in Quebec for fifteen years, also recently paid $400 to help a friend pay a ransom.
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
The Montreal Police Service (SPVM) reported no slips during the demonstration.
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