USAID-Sponsored “Play for Peace” Soccer Tournament in Haiti Becomes Bloodbath
2005 August 28th · Reed LindsayBlack-Clad Hooded Police and Machete-Wielding Civilians Murder Dozens
Massacre Fuels Fears of State-Sponsored Violence as Crucial Elections Approach
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The crowd applauded when camouflaged and black-clad hooded police officers entered a packed soccer match held less than two weeks ago in the hillside slum of Martissant.
The spectators inside the walled dirt field assumed the officers had arrived to provide security. The “Play for Peace” soccer match was financed and sponsored by USAID, and was to help lay the groundwork for disarmament by steering young people away from gang violence.
The events that followed were as chilling as they were unexpected.