20,000 March for Aristide

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — More than 20,000 Haitians marched in support of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide on Wednesday after police fired tear gas to prevent about 200 of his opponents from demonstrating.

It was the second time in three days that police used tear gas against anti-government protesters.

Police also fired warning shots into the air as the anti-Aristide demonstrators were about to set off from Haiti’s state university.

Several minor injuries were reported and one medical student was arrested for disturbing the peace.

Just blocks away, a pro-government demonstration swelled.

“Long live Aristide!” shouted Bernier Civil, 44. “We are marching because everyone should participate in elections. The opposition is afraid to participate in elections because we are the majority.”

The Democratic Platform -- a coalition of opposition parties, clergy, students and business leaders -- refuses to participate in new legislative elections unless Aristide resigns.

It also wants to set up a transitional government until new elections can be held in two years.

Demonstrations against Aristide have surged in the last four months, some turning violent. They have claimed the lives of 47 people.

Pressure has been building on Aristide’s government since his party won 2000 legislative elections that observers said were flawed.