Haitians set upon palace over prices

Hungry Haitians tried to storm the presidential palace Tuesday to demand the resignation of President Rene Preval over soaring food prices.

Protesters charged the palace’s gates with a rolling trash bin, but Brazilian soldiers in blue United Nations helmets fired rubber bullets and tear gas to force them back.

Outnumbered peacekeepers watched as people looted nearby businesses.

Across the capital, concrete barricades and burned-out cars blocked streets, windows were smashed and buildings were set on fire. No deaths were reported, but five Haitians have been killed in recent days.

Protester Renand Alexandre said, “If the police and U.N. troops want to shoot at us, that’s OK, because in the end if we are not killed by bullets we’ll die of hunger.”