ARTICLE - ARISTIDE - PROTEST

HAITI PROTESTERS MARK ARISTIDE OUSTER ANNIVERSARY
(AP) - By Trenton Daniel

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Thousands of supporters of two-time President Jean-Bertrand Aristide rallied in Haiti's capital Wednesday on the eighth anniversary of the former leader's ouster.

The demonstrators accused current President Michel Martelly of not doing enough to improve their lives and pressed for the departure of the country's U.N. peacekeeping mission.

It was the largest demonstration against Martelly since he took office in May.

The protest comes two days after an attorney who claimed to represent Aristide told a local radio station that the government was preparing to investigate the former leader on criminal charges. But the justice minister denied the claim, and Aristide's lawyer in Miami said he did not know the man who made the announcement, but it still was enough to put Aristide supporters on edge.

"We're telling Martelly to be careful," said Jean-Claude Jeanty, a protester. "If the government plans to arrest him, we're going to burn the country down."

Wednesday's demonstration began in front of the parish where Aristide once preached as a priest. Protesters then marched through shanty strongholds supportive of Aristide and sang about how they had no fear and would not betray the ex-president.

Aristide did not make an appearance during the demonstration, which occurred far from his home.

Aristide was ousted during his second term following a violent rebellion, and he spent seven years in exile in South Africa before returning to Haiti last year. He has kept a low profile since his return but is still considered an influential figure.

The crowd grew as it approached the capital.

When protesters marched in front of the National Palace, they directed their anger toward Martelly and chanted, "We know you're not Haitian. You need to bring your passport. If you're not Haitian, turn in your passport."

Several lawmakers have demanded an investigation of Martelly, who traveled widely as a performer before entering politics, saying they suspect he holds more than one passport, which would bar him from office under Haiti's constitution.