Popular discontent under President Préval

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May 1: Mobilization for anti-privatization march picks up steam
Haiti Progres. This Week in Haiti, 24–30 April 1996. A broad coalition of popular organizations has built the first massive demonstration against the Preval's project to privatize Haiti’s state-owned enterprises, among other neo-liberal economic reforms. The march will take place appropriately on May 1, International Workers' Day, in Port-au-Prince.
Against great odds, anti-privatization mobilization continues
Haiti Progres, 8–14 May 1996. In the capital and other towns throughout Haiti, May 1st, International Workers Day, brought important mobilizations against the Preval government's project to integrate Haiti into the neo-liberal framework being demanded by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Washington.
Washington, Préval and the macoutes
By G. Dunkel, Workers World, 5 September 1996. Growing numbers of Haitians and their popular organizations see both the current terror campaign of the ultra-right paramilitary macoute forces and the government of Rene Preval as enemies of Haiti's workers and peasants.
Resurrection of the popular movement
Haiti Progres, This Week in Haiti,, 15–21 January 1997. Throughout Haiti, popular organizations are re-emerging as Haiti's principal motor of social change, just as they were in the 4 years between the downfall of Jean-Claude Duvalier and the election of Aristide. After less than a year in power, the Preval government is faced with a nation-wide mobilization demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Rosny Smarth and a new political direction.
General strike shuts Haiti for a day
By G. Dunkel, Workers World, 30 January 1997. A massive general strike was called to protest austerity measures imposed by the IMF and World Bank, the resignation of Prime Minister Rosny Smarth and the suspension of negotiations with an IMF/WB team currently in Haiti, an end to the U.N. peacekeeping occupation, government repression and attempts by the right-wing Macoutes to re-establish a Duvalierist movement.
Contestation and protests mounting
Haiti Progres,This Week in Haiti, 23–29 April 1997. The elections come and gone and the Fugees fanfare over, across the country, protests and strikes are on the rise. The most serious protests took place in Gonaives on April 8, when city workers walked off the job because they had not been paid for eight months.
General strike in Haiti
By John Catalinotto, Workers World, 29 May 1997. A general strike closed factories, shops and schools May 19 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The people demanded a halt to the government's plan to privatize state-run industries.
General strike successful throughout Haiti
Haiti Progres, This Week in Haiti, 30 July–5 August 1997. The success of the July 28 nationwide general strike called by a coalition of a dozen popular organizations to demand the immediate withdrawal of all foreign military forces and an end to the Haitian government's neoliberal policies.
Government employees plan resistance to voluntary termination
Haiti Progres, This Week in Haiti, 1–7 July 1998. Some 8,000 Haitian state workers may soon be out of a job if President Preval has his way. Washington, the World Bank, and the IMF have promised to bail the Haitian government out on the condition that it layoff public-sector workers, sell off state enterprises and lower tariff walls to imports.
Limbe: Townspeople Mobilize against Waves of Crime and Water
Haiti Progres, 4–10 November 1998. In absence of effective government, people forced to take matters into their own hands.
Popular Protests Condemn Senate
By G. Dunkel, Workers World, 11 February 1999. Bosses and workers take opposite positions on Haitian President Rene Preval's recent decision to dissolve the reactionary Haitian Senate.