US Embassy Shuttered as Thousands in Haiti Protest Trump's "Shithole" Remarks

Demonstrators protested in front of the U.S. Embassy against President Donald Trump's recent disparaging comments about Haiti and African nations, in Tabarre, a district of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018. On Monday night, January 22, demonstrators again marched on the embassy. (Photo: Dieu Nalio Chery/AP)

US Embassy Shuttered as Thousands in Haiti Protest Trump's "Shithole" Remarks

"We are here today to let President Donald Trump know that we declare him persona non grata in Haiti," declared protest leader and human rights attorney Mario Joseph

Stirring enough concern for U.S. officials to shutter the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince, thousands of Haitians marched in their nation's capital on Monday as they denounced President Donald Trump over his recent remarks in which reportedly referred to their country as a "shithole."

"Trump is a vulgar racist, and a racist is a very poor-minded person. We don't feel any resentment against the American people, who we know largely disapprove of Trump's behavior in the White House."
--Marvel Joseph, protester
While police set up barricades and fired rubber bullets at the protesters, the anger among regular Haitians was palpable as they demonstrated in the streets and spoke out against the U.S. president and his policies.

"We are here today to let President Donald Trump know that we declare him persona non grata in Haiti," declared protest leader Mario Joseph, a prominent human rights lawyer and activist in the country.

"Trump is a vulgar racist, and a racist is a very poor-minded person," Marvel Joseph, one participant, told Reuters. "We don't feel any resentment against the American people, who we know largely disapprove of Trump's behavior in the White House."

Watch:

Join Us: News for people demanding a better world


Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place.

We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference.

Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today!

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.