2002. Anti-government demonstration in Cap-Haitien:
The day before the day commemorating the Battle of Vertières (November 18, 2003), a
demonstration was organized in Cap-Haïtien, the second city of the country, by the groups
opposing the Lavalas regime led by President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The
protesters demanded his departure. This day laid the foundations for a
a vast anti-government movement led by the same groups and supported
openly by the major powers, including Canada, the United States, and France.
Jean-Bertrand Aristide was finally forced to relinquish power on the 29th
February 2004.
1962. Expulsion of Mgr. Paul Sanson Marie Robert, Bishop of Gonaïves:
Bishop of the diocese since January 1936, he became one of the victims of persecution
of President François Duvalier against those he perceived as a critic of
his government or a dissident. He was first expelled from his diocese and assigned to
house arrest in Pétionville before being expelled with eleven of his priests.