Haïti: Martelly : « Tout le monde a fraudé » Le candidat à la présidence Michel Joseph Martelly attend calmement le verdict final des autorités électorales. Vu que son exclusion est le motif de la crise électorale, Martelly estime qu'il serait difficile de l'exclure à nouveau du scrutin. Mais si ce serait le cas, a indiqué le leader de « Repons Peyizan », il ne pourra rien faire, sinon de mettre fin à son rêve. Par ailleurs, Michel Martelly a avoué n'avoir aucun problème personnel avec Jude Célestin et le président René Préval, mais avec le système politique que ces derniers représentent.
Le candidat à la présidence Michel Joseph Martelly
(Photo: Fréderick Alexis)
Michel Martelly, qui a accordé une entrevue à Frantz Duval et Valéry Daudier pour Le Nouvelliste jeudi dernier, chez lui, admet que du verdict final des élections du 28 novembre découlera trois scénarios. Premièrement, la possibilité, dit-il, pour que Martelly soit éliminé définitivement; une autre éventualité qu'il soit admis au second tour et une dernière possibilité d'annuler les élections. « Le choix d'éliminer Martelly est difficile. Mais si tel était le cas, je suis un simple citoyen, je ne pourrai rien faire seul. Mais les responsables auront affaire avec une population en colère pour avoir volé son vote », a-t-il déclaré, invitant déjà ses partisans à manifester dans le calme, sans violence. A en croire le band leader de Sweet Micky, des fraudes ont été commises en faveur de tous les quatre candidats en tête du scrutin présidentiel, dont Mirlande H. Manigat, Jude Célestin, Michel Martelly et Jean-Henry Céant. « Nous avons une équipe technique travaillant sur ce dossier qui révèle qu'ils ont tous fraudé. On a trouvé quelque 2 000 faux bulletins de moi. C'est insignifiant par rapport aux autres candidats, mais ce sont quand même des fraudes », a confié M. Martelly. « Nous n'encourageons pas les fraudes. Il est probable que ce soit nos partisans qui aient fait ça. Si on enlève les bulletins frauduleux, Martelly passera en première position et sera admis au second tour », a renchéri le leader de « Repons Peyizan », qui attend une décision des autorités locales pour dénouer la crise. « Pour le moment, je suis exclu. Mais cela ne m'empêche pas de faire des propositions aux différents acteurs, excepté à l'acteur principal qui est l'Exécutif. Et je crois que c'est à lui de décider », a lancé le candidat au crâne rasé ayant pour slogan « Tèt kale ». La conjoncture favorable à Michel Martelly ? Michel Martelly a indiqué, que l'on soit d'accord ou pas, il reste un candidat important dans la course électorale. Mais c'est la conjoncture, a-t-il jugé, qui a joué en sa faveur. « Ce n'est pas nous qui sommes si fort mais en fin de règne, n'importe quoi peut jouer en votre faveur et contre l'adversaire », a soutenu Martelly. Il a pris en exemple une marche avec ses partisans qui avait débuté à Pétion-Ville pour aboutir au Champ de Mars, quand un petit avion les avait bombardés des posters de Jude Célestin. « C'est une stratégie qui a joué contre lui dans un pays en situation difficile, dévasté par un tremblement de terre », a fait remarquer Michel Martelly. « Les multiples affiches et billboards de Jude Célestin partout dans le pays ont aussi joué contre le pouvoir. Car on n'a pas ressenti la même fougue du gouvernement pour reloger les sans-abri. C'est pourquoi l'on a entendu lors des manifestations : « Ti Jude ban nou lajan, nou vote Micky. » Ironie du sort ! », a ajouté Martelly. « Je n'ai aucun problème personnel avec Jude Célestin et René Préval. » Contrairement à ce que plus d'un pense, Martelly a avoué qu'il n'a aucun problème personnel avec son ancien ami Jude Célestin et le chef de l'Etat, René Préval. « Jude Célestin était mon ami dans les années 90. Mais cela fait plusieurs années qu'on ne s'est pas vu. Je connais le personnage, donc je n'ai aucun problème avec Jude, mais avec le système », a indiqué M. Martelly. « Si je le rencontre quelque part, je suis prêt à lui serrer la main, peut-être qu'il n'acceptera pas », a fait savoir le candidat. Cependant, le leader de « Repons Peyizan » estime que son ami ne peut pas être admis au second tour. « Jude ne peut pas être admis au second tour, car il n'est pas populaire et il représente la continuité. Or, le peuple a choisi de voter contre la continuité », a souligné le candidat-chanteur. « Je n'ai aucun problème personnel non plus avec René Préval. Ce qui me dérange avec lui, c'est qu'il est chef d'un système qui ne donne pas de résultats. Je me suis présenté pour changer ce système et je ne suis pas là pour déclarer la guerre à Préval, pour faire la chasse aux sorcières. D'ailleurs, nous sommes tous responsables de nos maux », a déclaré Michel Martelly qui invite les autorités à se ressaisir à l'occasion des fêtes de fin d'année et pour prioriser l'intérêt du pays. Martelly avait accepté sa défaite En fait, à en croire le chanteur de Sweet Micky, lorsque le Conseil électoral provisoire (CEP) a publié les résultats préliminaires des élections le 7 décembre dernier, il a accepté la défaite. C'est la révolte de ses partisans dans les rues qui l'ont encouragé à aller jusqu'au bout. « Quand on a proclamé les résultats, je ne faisais que saluer des gens de mon équipe qui étaient chez moi, les remercier pour avoir voté pour moi. Et, pour moi, c'était une affaire classée car le CEP a proclamé les résultats. On allait par la suite donner une conférence de presse quand des gens nous ont appelés pour nous dire que la population est révoltée face aux résultats. A ce moment-là, j'étais indigné », a expliqué Micky en sa résidence à Péguy-Ville au cours de cette entrevue. Face à une telle situation, le leader de « Repons Peyizan » a encore invité les autorités à respecter le vote de la population. Vu la situation chaotique du pays provoquée par l'épidémie de choléra et le tremblement de terre, Michel Martelly estime que les dirigeants auraient pu décréter l'urgence en indiquant qu'il n'y a pas moyens d'organiser les élections. « On aurait pu décider de nommer quelqu'un pour un ou deux ans en attendant de résoudre certaines crises avant d'organiser les élections. Je crois que la population aurait compris la situation », a commenté le candidat à la présidence. Martelly ne fera pas d'alliance avec la « continuité » En cas d'une défaite définitive au cours de ces élections, Michel Martelly ne se voit pas encore appuyer un autre candidat au second tour, s'il y en aura. Mais il est clair : il ne fera pas d'alliance avec la « continuité ». Et Mirlande Manigat ? « Il faudra que je discute d'abord avec mon équipe de campagne avant de décider si je la supporterai ou pas », a répondu jovial Michel Martelly, rassurant qu'il continuera à travailler aux côtés de la population, notamment à oeuvrer à travers ses actions caritatives. « Je travaille au bien être de la population depuis des années, pas besoin d'être président pour continuer à le faire, ni d'occuper un poste public » a conclut le chanteur vedette avant de se mettre au piano pendant quelques minutes. Valéry DAUDIER
daudiervalery@yahoo.fr
vdaudier@lenouvelliste.com
===================================
Videos of Ballot Fraud in Haiti (The following videos are not part of the article above) The videos below show evidence of Fraud in the election,
Coalition calls on Hot 97 management to terminate Cipha Sounds over his comment: “the reason why I’m HIV negative is ‘cause I don’t mess with Haitian girls.”
Haitian community leaders and elected officials came together Tuesday to denounce the discriminatory on-air remarks made on Friday, Dec. 17, against Haitian women by Hot 97’s Morning Show Personality Cipha Sounds (Luis Diaz).
Activists and community leaders said that Sounds’ comments, made during the Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg Morning Show, were crude and vulgar--a painful reminder of the period when Haitians were unscientifically designated in 1983 by the Center for Disease Control as an AIDS high-risk group.
Haitians were listed by the CDC as one of the 4H’s (Haitians, Hemophiliacs, Homosexuals and Heroin addicts) and the CDC banned 4H’s from donating blood. This designation caused severe social stigma for Haitians in New York and around the world.
On April 20, 1990 when the CDC’s ban was up for review, the Haitian community led one of the largest marches in New York City’s history across the BrooklynBridge into Lower Manhattan.
Sounds’ statement was made after one of the most difficult and devastating years for the Haitian community, where over 200,000 people died in the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Currently the country is also grappling with a widespread Cholera epidemic. Community leaders and elected officials have said Sounds’ subsequent apology for his remarks was patently inadequate.
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer denounced Sounds’ comments as “highly offensive and totally unacceptable,” adding: “It is appalling in this day and age that someone thinks they can malign an entire community with such an ignorant and hurtful comment. That it was made by a radio personality--who presumably knows better and has a responsibility to respect the people who listen to his show--is even more disgraceful. Hot 97 now has an obligation to show New Yorkers that there is no place, and certainly no excuse, for such degrading commentary on its airwaves.”
Public Advocate Bill de Blasio
“As Mr. Diaz has himself has acknowledged, his remarks were ‘stupid and tasteless.’ They denigrated Haitian women, and made light of an HIV epidemic that is growing across the five boroughs. Mr. Diaz’s public apology was a first step, but now it’s incumbent upon Hot 97 to take disciplinary action and show that it takes its broadcasting responsibility seriously.”
New YorkState Senate Democratic Conference Leader John L. Sampson
“I deplore and condemn the offensive remarks carried on Hot 97 degrading the Haitian community. Communities of color have been on the receiving end of prejudice too often and we should know better. We need to eradicate stereotypes, not perpetuate them. Those who have the privilege of broadcasting on the public airwaves must use their position responsibly and refrain from comments that divide and degrade our society,”
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz
“In Brooklyn—the Haitian and Caribbean Capital of the USA and a borough where women are our only ‘majority’—Brooklynites of every race and creed are flabbergasted by the insensitive and uninformed remarks made by Cipha Sounds. His degrading comments are not only disrespectful to our vibrant Haitian community and all of the great contributions they have made to Brooklyn and our city, but further perpetuate myths about HIV/AIDS. That’s why I believe HOT 97—which has a social responsibility to its listeners—should work with Haitian American and HIV/AIDS community groups to use this incident as a learning tool. Let’s get out the real facts about HIV/AIDS and the risks of transmission, especially among the younger listeners of stations such as HOT 97, so that we can keep New Yorkers safe and work to eradicate HIV/AIDS once and for all.”
Council Member Mathieu Eugene
"I believe the comments made by Hot 97 radio host Cipha Sounds were incredibly insulting and denigrating to both Haitian women and the Haitian community," said Councilmember Mathieu Eugene. "Regardless of their intention, these comments were insensitive, careless and disrespectful, especially at a time when Haiti is struggling to recover from the devastation caused by the January 12th earthquake and the current epidemic of cholera. We cannot tolerate such hurtful comments, which spread a negative stereotype associated with the Haitian community. I strongly denounce the comments made by the radio host, and I believe we should come together to stand up against this form of discrimination."
NYS Senator Eric Adams "I am appalled at the offensive and divisive remarks made by Hot 97 Morning Show Host 'Cipha Sounds' (Luis Diaz). Radio is a powerful and far-reaching medium, and this type of ignorant speech is unacceptable. New York is home to a large Haitian community; they are part of the fabric of our society and deserve more respect." Assemblyman Karim Camara “The comment made by DJ Cipha Sounds, whether made in jest or not indicates that we have a long way to go in the effort to educate the public about HIV and AIDS. The comment perpetuates gross ethnic stereotypes and racism that cannot be tolerated. It is also deeply insensitive to a great nation that has already endured recent tragedies" Council Member Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Co-Chair, New York City Council Black Latino and Asian Caucus and Chair Health Committee New York City Council “UsuallyHot 97 prides itself in being a radio station that provides a public forum addressing issues plaguing our respective communities. However, DJ Sipha Sound's ill-informed reference to Haitian women threatens to dismantle efforts made by everyone to educate minority communities about existing health disparities. Hot 97 must amend this utter lack of respect to all Haitians and women by terminating the deejay from his post- effective immediately!"
New York City Council Deputy Majority Leader Leroy Comrie:
"I want to join my colleagues in government and all New Yorkers of goodwill who found the comments issued on Hot 97 radio about Haitian women to be outrageous, racist and ignorant. Unfortunately, there has been a pattern of "shock" behavior at this radio station and communities of color have been the recipients every time. I stood with my Council colleagues in the past to denounce the anti-Asian "Tsunami Song" aired in 2005 and the anti-Caribbean remarks made by former Hot 97 personality Miss Jones in 2006. Such behavior is driven by a corporate culture that continues to demonstrate that it will engage negative stereotypes in order to achieve ratings. It is my hope that Hot 97 listeners will soon tune out this radio station."
Council Member Inez E. Dickens, Assistant Deputy Majority Leader: “When I learned of the comment made by Cipha Sounds of Hot 97, I was appalled. The fact that a person of color would so blatantly and ignorantly demean black women is incomprehensible. I say 'black women" because his comment disrespects all black women. More importantly, the Haitian people have endured great adversity and this irresponsible comment only increases their pain. Cipha's comment also creates division between black and Latino people and we must be united. I understand that Hot 97's Peter Rosenburgh/Cipha Sounds program format is about making derogatory remarks disguised as jokes against all ethnic groups, sparing no one. However I, along with many in my district in Harlem and Upper Manhattan, will continue to work towards the day when we as a people, regardless of race, color, creed or sexual orientation or gender preference, will embrace our common humanity and give all people the respect that they deserve.”
Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat “I am outraged, though not surprised, that Hot 97 once again has come under fire for the terribly bigoted commentary of its DJs and Producers. DJ Cipha Sound’s recent apology rings as hollow as those from his colleagues before in response to their hateful and unfunny rhetoric. The ultimate protest of this on air behavior is to walk away. I encourage the New York listening public to change the dial on this dialogue and listen to another station.”
Council Member Robert Jackson “Cipha Sounds’ statement regarding Haitian women and HIV is highly ignorant and irresponsible. Hot 97 FM should take immediate action in releasing him from his employment, to demonstrate its intolerance for any prejudiced behavior against any group. There is simply no room for this type of behavior in our public discourse.”
Council Member Letitia James
The 35th Council District has a large Haitian constituency, and the negative comments said by Cipha Sounds concern me very much. Contracting HIV has to do with each person protecting themselves while engaging in sexual activity, and nothing whatsoever to do with a particular ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. First and foremost I would like to see Cipha Sounds of Hot 97 retract his statement, apologize to New Yorkers, as well as make a significant contribution to the Haitian community - immediately.”
Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries
“Comments made by Hot 97 DJ Cipha Sounds are factually inaccurate, hurtful and unacceptable in a civil society. Hot 97’s parent company, Emmis Communications, must demonstrate that it will no longer tolerate such reckless behavior and discipline their employee immediately.”
NYS Senator Kevin Parker
“Last Friday 20 years of progress on HIV education was undone in 5 seconds by Cipha Sound’s stigmatizing Haitian women to his young listeners. Great power to formulate images of individuals, cultures, and issues comes with freedom of speech and the public’s ear through a major institution like Hot 97. We expect education; not denigration.”
NYS Senator Jose Peralta
“This type of demeaning buffoonery in the name of ratings is as contemptible as it is offensive. “Station management must apologize to the Haitian community and, through appropriate disciplinary action, make it clear that there is no place on the airwaves or in our great city for hateful speech.”
Assemblyman Nick Perry, Assistant Majority Leader, NYS Assembly and Chairman, NYS Association of Black, Hispanic, Puerto Rican and Asian Legislators
"I fully condemn the malicious and repugnant comments made by Cipha Sounds. What's even more outrageous is that he offered a half-hearted apology, which he himself says is due to calls and tweets from outraged listeners. His apology should have come because he truly felt sorry, otherwise his comments truly speak to his character and that would be a shame. He said his comments were "taken totally the wrong way." Is there a right way?"
Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez
“The statements made by this talk show host on Hot 97 are irresponsible and I urge the entire Caribbean community to reject such media outlets that insult us, promote negative perceptions of us, and encourage us to divide ourselves among racial and gender lines.”
Council Member Jumaane Williams: “I am disappointed by the comments made by Luis Diaz (also known as Cipha Sounds) today on the Hot 97 Morning Show: "I am HIV negative, because I don't mess with Haitian women." I know many listen to this show for its shock factor, but there's a line when it comes to what can and cannot offend people. Given the history of lies when it comes to AIDS and the Haitian community, his statement was extremely offensive to the Haitian community, and not the "joke" he may have intended. As a self described Hip-Hop head, I believe the culture has a duty to promote respect for all. I hope Mr. Diaz was reprimanded for his statement and apologized to the Haitian community at large.”
Council Member Elect Ruben Wills
“I am gravely concerned regarding the recent insensitive comments by a Hot 97 disc jockey made towards Haitian women. Although an apology from the disc jockey is appreciated and I'm sure genuine, it is my sincere hope that Hot 97 uses this incident and the ensuing public reaction as a call to action to support causes that empower all women. Hot 97 should use their immensely popular public platform to expand on outreach that will bring tangible positive benefits to the audience that continues to support them."
Jihan Antoine, President, Bel Ti Fi “As an organization dedicated to the empowerment of Haitian women, we were taken aback by the news of Cipha Sounds’ comments—and we intend to immediately correct the image he has portrayed of us.”
Rodneyse Bichotte, State Committeewoman/District Leader, 42nd Assembly District:
“We demandrespect today as we did 20 years ago. We refuse to relive another second of ignorant comments demeaning the Haitian Community."
“Mr. Diaz or Cipha Sounds' apologies gloss over the essence of his comments, namely that negative stereotypes lead to dehumanizing individuals, in this case Haitian women. Misogynist and racist comments have no place on our airwaves and Hot 97 has a corporate responsibility not to promote hate speech, which we know encourages discrimination and too often can even lead to violence."
Gerard Cadet VP at large 1199/SEIU:
"As a Haitian-American, a father of five native-born Haitian-American women, and the leader of an organization dominated by women, I feel that is unacceptable for a radio station to condone slander and discriminatory remarks on their airwaves. We are calling on Hot 97 to do the responsible thing by terminating Cipha Sounds from employment."
Edwidge Danticat, Author
“It is extremely unfortunate in this day and age, and at this very challenging time for Haiti, that some people continue to use their bully pulpit to recycle old, incorrect, ignorant and painful stereotypes about Haitians, and Haitian women and girls in particular. Mr Diaz' s energy would be put to much more productive use in informing both his male and female listeners, of every age, race, ethnic group and nationality, about AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment.”
Martine Guerrier, Community Leader “The remarks made by Cipha Sounds were morally reprehensible & dealt a misogynistic blow to the public information campaign which seeks to deal with HIV as a universal killer of dreams, destroyer of families, & creator of social death, even during this age of social media, through its ability to force victims to remain silent & not seek treatment out of fear of being publicly blasted. Cipha Sounds attempted victimization of Haitian and Haitian-American women is a threat to many of us who remember a time when as children we had to endure insults and bullying just for identifying as Haitians. As proud Haitian Americans we raise our voices for our children, the men who love us and ourselves to say no to intolerance, no to ignorance, and no to Cipha Sounds. We refuse to be victimized today and shall not allow our children, the boys and the girls to suffer the same indignities.”
Jo Hamilton, Chair Manhattan Community Board #2
“Cipha Sound’s comments on Hot 97 Radio are insulting and irresponsible. They're dangerous, too, because they feed into the culture of racism, sexism and bias against people with HIV/AIDS, all of which are unfortunately too common in our society. Such comments should be strongly repudiated by all decent and fair-minded New Yorkers, and Hot 97 should ensure that this incident is never repeated."
Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, Manhattan Deputy Borough President “Similar to Don Imus outrageous comment about the Rutgers University Women’s Basketball Team, Cipha Sound’s disrespectful remark on Hot 97 is an affront to Haitian women, the entire Haitian community and to New Yorkers as a whole. It is unfortunate that after such a challenging year for Haiti Cipha Sounds choose to disparage our community for a cheap laugh. Adding more insult to injury Cipha Sound’s apology to the Haitian community was tepid at best. Hot 97’s management should take quick and swift action.”
------------------------------------ IT’S NOT OVER! - TWO MEETINGS TONIGHT
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Community Forum at SEIU 1199
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
@6:00PM
310 West 43rd Street, Auditorium, NY, NY10036-6451
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Office of Councilmember Mathieu Eugene Wednesday, December 22nd
HOT 97DJ Cipha Sounds was suspended indefinitely from his job Tuesday after making an on air joke about Haitian women and HIV.
This comments sparked outrage in the Haitian community and dozens of activists and elected officials gathered outside the radio station's Manhattan headquarters Monday morning to call for his resignation.
The deejay's bosses first released a statement saying he would not be fired and was just a young man who had made a mistake.
But a more detailed three-pronged action plan to address the controversy was announced overnight.
"First, the station announced that DJ Cipha Sounds has been suspended indefinitely," the statement said.
"Second, Cipha will immediately undertake sensitivity training focused on the Haitian community and specifically, the challenges the Haitian community has faced in terms of the HIV epidemic.
"Finally, HOT 97 announced it will work with local community leaders to utilize the influence of HOT 97 to increase awareness of HIV and community programs to address the HIV epidemic."
During the DJ's live show Friday he claimed he is HIV-negative because he does not "mess with Haitian girls."
The station was inundated with calls and upset listeners also used Facebook and Twitter to voice their rage.
Cipha Sounds, whose real name is Luiz Diaz, later apologized to listeners, calling it a "tasteless joke" but Haitian-Americans said saying sorry was not enough.
Radio station chiefs appear to have taken note.
"Cipha made an immediate public apology and recognizes his insensitivity and the negative impact his comments have on all Haitians," said Alex Cameron, SVP/Market Manager of Emmis-New York.
"The Haitian community is an important part of our listenership whom we respect and value.
"The suspension is an indication of the importance we place on delivering a product that respects our Haitian audience.
"It's a very regrettable and unfortunate circumstance for all involved and particularly because we know this is not the nature of this young man who has been an advocate of the Haitian community and a big part of our fundraising efforts for Haiti.
"He is committed to working with the Haitian community to make a difference and turn this negative incident into an opportunity for increased learning and awareness."
Reported by chimovement.com - Edited by RockMasters.com
This is the ultimate insult to our Haitian Women
Last Friday on Hot 97′s “The Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg Show” with Cipha Sounds, Peter Rosenberg and K. Foxx, Cipha made some derogatory, offensive comments towards Haitian people. Haitian women to be exact. Cipha said and we quote, “The Reason I’m H.I.V negative is cause I don’t mess w/ Haitian girls
The Haitian community was not please with his comments and took to the phone lines, calling up the radio station. At first, callers thought Peter Rosenberg made the comments, accusing him of being a racist and demanding his departure from the radio station. It was revealed, Cipha Sounds made the actual comments which also caused a wildfire on Twitter with people tweeting in, making threats and demanding the disc jockey apologizes.
Haitian Fresh went in on Cipha Sounds on Twitter, expressing how Haitian people been through a lot, especially this year with the earthquake, cholera outbreak and the recent riots due to the elections. He expressed Cipha Sounds comments were not only offensive but hurtful, saying the Haitian community is a big supporter of Hot 97 and Cipha’s comments were irresponsible.
Cipha Sounds was on Twitter also, trying to apologize to the Haitian community, admitting it was a stupid joke and how he (as he said it) f*cks with Haitian heavy. Cipha Sounds couldn’t even spell Haitian , if you going to insult Haitians at least spell it right.
Cipha Sounds and Hot 97′s “Morning Show” released a video on the Net of Cipha apologizing to the Haitian community and taking full responsibilities for his comments. And he posted it on You Tube, shared it with his fans on Facebook and tweeted it to his followers on Twitter. Check out thejavascript:void(0) videos.
With all the negative and unfortunate incidents and disasters affecting Haitian people recently and the continuous negative portrayal of Haiti in the press, the one treasure that we, as Haitians hold dearly with pride and honor is our women. It is the one treasure that we will not negotiate nor allow anyone to trample upon or to use as a comedy line.
So RockMasters Entertainment ask all its members, subscribers and the public in general to attend the press conference below in full force and send a strong message "Don't mess with our women"
=========================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Haitian Leaders Express Outrage Over Broadcast Derogatory Comments call for Immediate Sanctions Against Hot 97 Radio Personality
WHO: Elected Officials and Haitian Community
WHAT: Haitian Community and Leaders Unite with Elected Officials to Express Outrage over Derogatory and Discriminatory Remarks About Haitian Women Made By Hot 97 Morning Show Host Cipha Sounds (Luis Diaz).
Press conference will be held in front of Hot 97 Studios.
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti (CNN) -- Michel Martelly is not used to being confined to his home.
After all, he made a name for himself on stage, performing Haitian carnival music in flamboyant style, sometimes drinking rum straight from a bottle and ripping his clothes off.
But "Sweet Mickey," as he is known in his role as king of kompa music, says it wasn't Sweet Mickey who went home to his wife and four children at night. That was Michel Martelly, husband and father, who has emerged as Haiti's favorite son.
He shed his bad-boy image off stage to take care of his family, educate his children. Now, he says, he wants to do the same for his homeland.
"My life on stage was very different than it was at home," says Martelly, sitting on a large veranda at his plush home in the hills of Port-au-Prince.
The Provisional Electoral Council placed Martelly in third place with 21.84% of the votes in preliminary results of Haiti's presidential election announced last Tuesday. That means, if the vote holds, Martelly will not be in a January 16 runoff.
The council said Mirlande Manigat, a former first lady and law professor, came out on top with 31.37 percent of the votes and Jude Celestin, the government-backed candidate, won 22.48 percent.
But charges of fraud in the Haitian election have hailed from all corners. The most vocal, perhaps, has been Martelly, who is confident he won based on what pre-election polling had shown.
His supporters took to the streets in the days after the results were announced, chanting "Tet Kale!," another one of his monikers, which means bald head in Creole.
On this Sunday afternoon, Martelly appears in jeans and a button-down shirt. A silver arm cuff hugs his right wrist. He takes a long sip of his favorite ice-cream soda and takes a seat at a table surrounded by a floor-to-ceiling fake Christmas tree, a piano and eight wall-mounted speakers. It's not hard to tell this is a musician's home.
Close by, armed with shotguns, are menacing body guards from a private security firm.
"I never had security before this election," he says.
The opposite, in fact.
When Sweet Mickey stepped out of his car, adoring crowds thronged to get a closer look at the popular star.
But with violent protests erupting on the streets and convinced that there are many who would might like to see him dead, Martelly says he has been forced to hide behind security.
This reporter was led by a bodyguard through a maze of doors and rooms to a sprawling veranda where the interview took place. The smell of sauteing onions and garlic wafted out of the kitchen.
Martelly says he doesn't leave his home anymore. Rarely does he talk on the phone for fear his words will be used against him.
Haiti, he says, is on the brink of revolution.
"This is a very dangerous corner in Haiti's history," he says. "But it's a revolution that can be done peacefully through the election."
Under the father-and-son Duvalier dictatorship, Haitians lacked freedom but the people had clean roads, electricity, jobs, security, Martelly says. When democracy came overnight to this Caribbean nation, people didn't know how to handle it.
Martelly talks about 24 years of troubled times, of an impoverished country that he says hurtled backwards into even more poverty.
"We are ruled by corruption," he says. "The people have no confidence in their government."
Then came a killer earthquake, a hurricane, a cholera epidemic and, now, political turmoil.
"You know how (U.S. President Barack) Obama said it's not about the man, but it's about the plan?" he says. "Here it's more about the man than about the plan."
Haiti will go nowhere, he says, unless the people have a president they can trust, a president who is honest.
"I've been on the ground with them for 22 years," he says of his musical career. "The people know me. I represent the light at the end of the tunnel."
Not that Martelly doesn't have plans.
He says, for instance, that the $12 billion that was pledged by the international community for earthquake assistance should come in the form of infrastructure, not money, because the Haitians don't know how to manage money.
But his immediate plans revolve around how to resolve the electoral dispute. The electoral council is recounting the votes but Martelly says he will not deal with the council.
"From day one, we predicted fraud. But no one seemed to care," he says. "Now the same (council), the same entities want us to go in for a recount. What assurance do we have that this will be a free and fair process?
"We do not trust that process," he says. "We do not believe in going back to the same judge who has already condemned us. I believe everything has been done to ensure that we lose again when we never lost from day one."
Manigad has also said she will not accept a recount.
A European Union backed monitoring group had said Martelly was leading in the vote count. The United States and the United Nations both expressed grave concern over electoral fraud.
Martelly says he has a team of legal experts looking into his options, which he plans to make public soon.
One option that is unlikely, he says, is a new election. Haiti has neither the resources nor the strength to start all over again.
Another is a three-way runoff between Martelly and the two top vote-getters, Manigat and Celestin.
"If I accept that, I'd be starting my political career in a fraudulent system," Martelly says.
He says he is bowing in front of the international community to help bring about a fair outcome.
"This is an SOS," he says.
Then he takes a long sip of his sweet drink. Outside his well-guarded home, the streets are tense.
People have burned down the campaign headquarters of Celestin, a protege of the President Rene Preval, who grew increasingly popular as little progress surfaced in the months after the January 12 earthquake.
They have taken to the streets to demand their political will be respected.
So what makes a man who made a name with dance music think he can change things in Haiti?
Martelly flashes his signature smile; the light glints off his tet kale.
"Well," he says. "Look at what the politicians have done."
Editor's Note:Since Haiti’s presidential election results were announced Tuesday, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets. No candidate won a majority, forcing a runoff set for January 16th. The election council announced the two candidates who are in the runoff and supporters of the candidate left out have hit the streets in anger. CNN’s Jim Spellman is in Port-au-Prince. Read his first-hand account and scroll through the gallery of photos to find out what's really going on in Haiti right now.Jim Spellman CNN All Platform Journalist The first thing I noticed in the morning was the thick black smoke hanging in the humid tropical air. We soon found the source: dozens, maybe hundreds, of fires set throughout the streets of Port-au-Prince.
The fires set the stage, then came the protesters by the thousands. Most are supporters of Michel Martelly, a popular entertainer turned politician. His supporters lovingly call him Sweet Mickey, his old stage name. The crowds chant "Tet Kale!", Creole for bald-head...a reference to Martelly shaved head.
They march through the streets with no particular place to go. On Wednesday a group burned down the headquarters of the Inite party. Inite is the party of unpopular president Rene Preval whose protégé Jude Celestin beat out Martelly for a spot in a January election.
On the street it goes way beyond simple politics. It is a year’s worth of anger and frustration pouring out. First the earthquake, whose impact is still evident everywhere in Port-au-Prince. Next came Hurricane Tomas, then the cholera outbreak.
Now the people on the street feel they have been cheated out of an election. Their shot at a chance to feel a little hope seems to be gone. For the people in the street of Port-au-Prince it's the one thing they can't afford to lose.
