Haitian protestors storm government offices

Thursday, October 2, 2003

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: As protests continue to plague the streets of Gonaives following the gruesome murder of Mr. Amiot Metayer, leader of the "Cannibal Army," street group of attackers yesterday stormed four government buildings, torching three of them in revenge for the slaying. 

The Associated Press quoted independent Radio Metropole as saying that supporters of Mr. Metayer set fire to a customs house, police station and a state-run insurance company in Gonaives. 

The customs house was partially damaged and the police station was gutted, the radio station reported. The group smashed the first-floor windows of the National Insurance Office and burned documents, partially damaging the building. They later stormed the internal revenue bureau, carted out documents and burned them in the street. 

Hundreds of protesters then reportedly took to the streets and formed flaming tire barricades on the seventh day of protests since the staunch Jean Bertrand Aristide loyalist was found near the town of St. Marc, riddled with bullets. The protestors blame Mr. Aristide for the death of the former 'Cannibal' leader.

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