Oprah Visits Haiti Under Tight Security
The Root Staff
Oprah Winfrey visited Haiti to tour an encampment for people displaced by the country's 2010 earthquake this week. The Associated Press reports that her trip was conducted under such tight security that a local photographer was detained for about 90 minutes when he tried to cover the event:
Winfrey, escorted by security guards, walked among the tents with the actor Sean Penn, who helped create an aid group that provides support to people who live in the encampment. Winfrey said Penn's efforts will be featured in an upcoming program on her Oprah Winfrey Network …
"Everybody who has spent time in Haiti knows how important it is for the world to see what is going on here. … We really appreciate that she's here with us," Penn said.
Winfrey came to Haiti on Sunday under tight security. Guards and police cleared the airport so journalists could not film her arrival. Her representatives have not provided any details about her itinerary, though President Michel Martelly said he intended to meet with her.
Security was out in force during her visit with Penn at the encampment.
Photographer Lionel Lafortune, who was among several journalists trying to cover Winfrey, was detained by a guard as he entered the encampment and took photos …
Winfrey called the visit and her involvement with Haiti "part of the next chapter," telling reports that her travels are designed to "see interesting and fascinating cases of profound examples of what can be done to make a difference in the world."
Read more at the Washington Post.
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