Nicaraguan police on Saturday dispersed anti-government protesters with tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets, injuring two people.
Carrying blue and white balloons, demonstrators gathered at several locations in Managua to condemn the death of teenager Matt Romero during a march last year and to demand elections to replace President Daniel Ortega.
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Nicaraguan police on Saturday dispersed anti-government protesters with tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets, injuring two people.
"They know this is a people they can't shut up, they can't turn off, and we're going to continue the fight," said protester Jose Dolores Blandido.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights condemned via Twitter what it described as "state violence against protesters" on Saturday.
Demonstrators confront a cordon of police during an anti-government march dubbed, "Nothing is Normal” in honor of Matt Romero, in Managua, Nicaragua, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. 16-year-old Matt Romero was killed during “crossfire” last September when armed men wearing hoods clashed with anti-government protesters. (AP PhotoAlfredo Zuniga)
Demonstrators hold Nicaraguan national flags and photos of a slain students, during an anti-government march dubbed, "Nothing is Normal” in honor of Matt Romero, in Managua, Nicaragua, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. 16-year-old Matt Romero was killed during “crossfire” last September when armed men wearing hoods clashed with anti-government protesters. (AP PhotoAlfredo Zuniga)
Hundreds of Nicaraguans have been killed, jailed or forced into exile since protests against Ortega erupted in April 2018.
People turn away as police launch tear gas to disperse demonstrators at an anti-government march dubbed, "Nothing is Normal” in honor of slain student Matt Romero, in Managua, Nicaragua, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. 16-year-old Matt Romero was killed during “crossfire” last September when armed men wearing hoods clashed with anti-government protesters. (AP PhotoAlfredo Zuniga)
"They know this is a people they can't shut up, they can't turn off, and we're going to continue the fight," said protester Jose Dolores Blandido.
Police mobilized hundreds of officers throughout the capital early Saturday to block the protest, which the government had forbidden. The protest was summoned by a coalition called Blue and White National Unity. Blue and white are the colors of the Nicaraguan flag.
Protesters shouted "freedom!" as they tried to push past police holding plastic riot shields. The protesters pulled back after police shot tear gas into the crowd.
A masked demonstrator takes part in an anti-government march dubbed, "Nothing is Normal” in honor of slain student Matt Romero, in Managua, Nicaragua, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. 16-year-old Matt Romero was killed during “crossfire” last September when armed men wearing hoods clashed with anti-government protesters. (AP PhotoAlfredo Zuniga)
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights condemned via Twitter what it described as "state violence against protesters" on Saturday.
Nicaraguan police form a cordon to block demonstrators during an anti-government march dubbed, "Nothing is Normal” in honor of slain student Matt Romero, in Managua, Nicaragua, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. 16-year-old Matt Romero was killed during “crossfire” last September when armed men wearing hoods clashed with anti-government protesters. (AP PhotoAlfredo Zuniga)
Demonstrators confront a cordon of police during an anti-government march dubbed, "Nothing is Normal” in honor of Matt Romero, in Managua, Nicaragua, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. 16-year-old Matt Romero was killed during “crossfire” last September when armed men wearing hoods clashed with anti-government protesters. (AP PhotoAlfredo Zuniga)
Demonstrators hold Nicaraguan national flags and photos of a slain students, during an anti-government march dubbed, "Nothing is Normal” in honor of Matt Romero, in Managua, Nicaragua, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. 16-year-old Matt Romero was killed during “crossfire” last September when armed men wearing hoods clashed with anti-government protesters. (AP PhotoAlfredo Zuniga)