Police break up anti-government demonstrations across Haiti

PETIT-GOAVE, Haiti -- Police fired tear gas to break up demonstrations Tuesday by thousands of anti-government protesters, as President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's supporters wielded whips and hurled rocks to drive away government opponents. At least 14 people were reported injured.

Two men were shot by Aristide backers in the town of Petit-Goave, where police lobbed tear gas canisters into about 2,000 marchers, witnesses said.

Thousands more protested in several cities, clamoring for immediate elections and better living conditions. But police and crowds of Aristide supporters broke up the protests.

The demonstrators paraded through the streets demanding an end to Aristide's government and justice in the death of journalist Brignol Lindor, who was hacked to death a year ago by Aristide supporters.

"I came to shout 'Down with Aristide!"' said 12-year-old David Merisier, a student in Petit-Goave, about 45 miles west of Port-au-Prince, the capital.

"We can't eat. We can't go to school. We're tired of Aristide."

Meanwhile, about 2,000 Aristide supporters broke up a demonstration in Port-au-Prince, wielding whips and throwing stones to drive away protesters. Witnesses said at least a dozen people were injured.