Marchers decry Haiti leader for quake response

Marchers decry Haiti leader for quake response

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Haitian protesters marched to the collapsed national palace for a second straight Monday to criticize President Rene Preval, saying he failed the nation in the aftermath of its catastrophic earthquake. At least 1,000 people marched to the center of the wrecked Haitian capital, where local police and U.N. peacekeepers stood guard. Tens of thousands more watched from the plastic-tarp-covered plots where they have lived since the Jan. 12 disaster. The protesters said Preval has failed to help the estimated 1.3 million left homeless by the quake, and that the president has overstepped his authority by saying he would remain in office for up to three months beyond his term if elections cannot be held by late November. Many chanted for the return of exiled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Preval rose to power as Aristide's prime minister, and many consider the president a traitor for not returning him to Haiti. Thousands marched early last week over the same issues. Larger protests are expected Tuesday as the country marks its Flag Day. _Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed._