Without Successor Amid Protests

Feb 08, 2016

Haitian President Michel Martelly has left office at the end of his five-year term without a successor in place, following mass protests demanding his ouster. The United States has been criticized for supporting Haiti’s disputed October elections, where the president’s handpicked successor, Jovenel Moïse, came in first out of more than 50 candidates, despite being virtually unknown. Last month, mass protests succeeded in postponing a scheduled runoff where Moïse was the only candidate—after his competitor, Jude Célestin, refused to take part. Martelly left office Sunday following a deal to have Parliament choose an interim president ahead of elections scheduled for April. His departure came on the 30th anniversary of the departure of Haitian dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, who was flown into exilethe teenager he killed, saying he—the officer—suffered “extreme emotional trauma.” Officer Robert Rialmo claims Quintonio LeGrier swung at him with a baseball bat, causing him to open fire, killing both LeGrier and an unarmed bystander, 55-year-old Bettie Jones. Recently released audio shows Quintonio LeGrier called 911 seeking help three times in the minutes before he was shot but was treated dismissively by dispatchers, one of whom hung up on him. Police were finally dispatched after a fourth call from LeGrier’s father saying his son was wielding a bat.

Professor Who Wore Hijab in Solidarity with Muslims Leaves Christian College

Feb 08, 2016

In other news from Illinois, a political science professor who wore a hijab in solidarity with Muslims has left her post at Wheaton College. The private Christian school suspended