Timothy Fadek receives Honorable Mention in NPPA's International News Picture Story Category

Uprising in Haiti

Haiti's President Jean-Bertrand Aristide resigned and flew into exile on February 29, 2004, pressured by a bloody rebellion and a push from the United States. Gunfire crackled as the capital fell into chaos. After word spread of the president's departure, angry Aristide supporters roamed the streets armed with old rifles, pistols, machetes and sticks, often firing wildly into crowds on the Champs de Mars, the main square in front of the palace. The crisis had been brewing since Aristide's party swept flawed legislative elections in 2000, prompting international donors to freeze millions in dollars in aid. Opponents also accused Aristide of breaking promises to help the poor, allowing corruption fueled by drug trafficking and masterminding attacks on opponents by armed gangs, the "Chimere" -- charges the president denied. The discontent erupted into violence 3 1/2 weeks earlier, as rebels began driving police from towns and cities in the north. Anarchy reigned in Port-au-Prince for many days after Aristide's departure. More than 3,000 inmates held in the National Penitentiary were released. Looters emptied the main shipping port, a police station, and hit pharmacies, supermarkets and other businesses. "Chop off their heads and burn their homes," rioters screamed, echoing the war cry of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the general who ousted French troops and torched plantations to end slavery in Haiti. Some anti-Aristide militants organized armed posses that prowled the streets in pickup trucks, searching for and killing Aristide supporters.

A peaceful scene outside the presidential palace before the violence spread.

At the main police station across from the palace, police faced off with an angry pro-Aristide mob after Haiti's President Aristide fled his country. In the wake of his resignation, armed Aristide supporters and chimere started shooting at civilians and police, people started looting, then in the late afternoon, rebels moved into Haiti's capital to restore order. The rebels also joined forces with the police to patrol the city.

As rebels move closer to Haiti's capital, Aristide supporters set tires on fire at burning baracades throughout downtown Port-au-Prince. The uprising in Haiti continues as the political crisis in the country continues to worsen. Embattled Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has said repeatedly that he will not resign before his term ends in 2006, despite calls for him to step down, and a rebel insurgency in more than half the country.

As rebels move closer to Haiti's capital, Aristide supporters set tires on fire at burning baracades throughout downtown Port-au-Prince. The uprising in Haiti continues as the political crisis in the country continues to worsen.

Haitian Rebel Commander Guy Phillipe and his soldiers leave Gonaives at night to drive to neighboring town Hinche, after hearing a report that Haitian police might try to retake that town.

Haiti's President Aristide fled his country. In the wake of his resignation, armed Aristide supporters and chimere started shooting at civilians and police, people started looting, then in the late afternoon, rebels moved into Haiti's capital to restore order. The rebels also joined forces with the police to patrol the city. Here, police near the palace search men who are possibly Aristide's Chimere, suspected of carrying weapons.

Anti-Aristide university students clashed with police after a peaceful protest turned violent. One student was killed, several were wounded, and at least 18 were arrested. Police fired tear gas which entered a primary school for girls, causing dozens to succumb to the effects of the gas, including this student who was later taken to the hospital.

As rebels move closer to Haiti's capital, Aristide supporters and armed chimere killed several oppositionists and looting among civilians began throughout downtown Port-au-Prince. Here, outside the port, looters broke open shipping containers, stealing everything in sight. They were too busy to care about the dead body at the entrance, who was killed over an argument about the stolen goods. The uprising in Haiti continues as the political crisis in the country continues to worsen.

Haiti's President Aristide fled his country. In the wake of his resignation, armed Aristide supporters and chimere started shooting at civilians, including this man, as well as at the police, people started looting, then in the late afternoon, rebels moved into Haiti's capital to restore order.

The bodies of 4 Armed Aristide Chimere (one not shown) were found in the Carrefour section of Port-au-Prince, allegedly killed by oppositionists of the Aristide government during a retribution killing spree.

As rebels move closer to Haiti's capital, Aristide supporters and armed chimere killed several oppositionists and looting among civilians began throughout downtown Port-au-Prince. This man's feet were bound and was shot in the head, his body left in the Cite Soleil section of Port-au-Prince.

Rebel Commander Guy Phillipe addresses a huge crowd of nearly 100,000 supporters of the anti-government, anti-Aristide movement in Gonaives. Together with other rebel leaders Beutter Meteyer, Winter Etienne and Ti-Will, they also marched briefly through the city. The crowd continued their demonstration for more than five hours.