Growing conflict in Haiti leaves many feeling helpless
Violence spiked in Haiti late last month after powerful gangs who control most of the country's capital, Port Au Prince, raided jails and released thousands of prisoners.
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Many Haitian-Americans are feeling helpless and heartbroken as their beloved country falls deeper into chaos.
"I feel bad, I’m sick, my blood pressure goes up, you know, I have to turn off my TV," said Norma Fequiere, who has been sending money to her cousins back home.
Violence spiked in Haiti late last month after powerful gangs who control most of the country's capital, Port-Au-Prince, raided jails and released thousands of prisoners.
"There’s a war zone going on right now," said Kenny Altidor, a Canarsie-based artist and activist. "People are dying, women are getting raped by gang members, people are living on the streets... they are scared."
Earlier this week, the country’s prime minister, Ariel Henry, agreed to resign, but as the situation on the ground continues to escalate, New Yorkers are worried about their loved ones back home.
"For the past three weeks, maybe a month, I’ve been trying to reach out to him, and I wasn’t able to reach out to him through Facebook, he hasn’t been answering his phone, so I’m concerned," said second-generation Haitian-American Socrates J. Gilles about his friend in Haiti.
A small group of City Council members of Haitian decent sent out a letter in support of the community this week, and today, Mayor Adams on X that he stands with Haitian New Yorkers.
A rally in support of Haiti will take place on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. on the steps outside City Hall.
