Thousands of Haitians are attending funerals for protesters who have died in demonstrations aimed at ousting President Jovenel Moïse.
The funerals for 11 of at least 20 people killed were held Wednesday in six cities including the capital of Port-au-Prince.
Sweat mingled with tears as mourners packed a church in the neighborhood of Delmas. Some women shouted, rocked back and forth and fell to the floor. Tires burned outside the church as people yelled, "Down with Jovenel!" and "Jovenel has to go!" during the service.
Relatives of murdered community leader Josemano "Badou" Victorieux mourn during Victorieux's funeral in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. Family members plan to bury three of the people killed in recent violence related to protests calling for the resignation of President Jovenel Moise. Haiti has entered into a fifth week of deadly protests that have paralyzed the economy and shuttered schools. (AP PhotoRebecca Blackwell)
Moïse said on Tuesday that it would be irresponsible for him to step down and repeated calls for dialogue that opposition leaders have rejected. Five weeks of protests have many schools and businesses.
Marie Michelle Joachin, the mother of murdered community leader Josemano "Badou" Victorieux is restrained as she mourns during Victorieux's funeral in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. Family members plan to bury three of the people killed in recent violence related to protests calling for the resignation of President Jovenel Moise. Haiti has entered into a fifth week of deadly protests that have paralyzed the economy and shuttered schools. (AP PhotoRebecca Blackwell)
Relatives of murdered community leader Josemano "Badou" Victorieux mourn during Victorieux's funeral in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. Family members plan to bury three of the people killed in recent violence related to protests calling for the resignation of President Jovenel Moise. Haiti has entered into a fifth week of deadly protests that have paralyzed the economy and shuttered schools. (AP PhotoRebecca Blackwell)
A snow cone vendor pushes his cart past a burning barricade placed by anti-government protesters after President Jovenel Moïse said he would not resign in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019. The president broke his silence Tuesday and said it would be irresponsible for him to resign amid Haiti's unrest, which has entered a fifth week of deadly protests that have paralyzed the economy and shuttered schools.(AP PhotoRebecca Blackwell)