Haitian protesters demand freedom for kidnapped US missionaries

Haitians took to the streets of Titanyen in droves to call for the liberation of the kidnapped 17 members of a U.S.-based missionary group. The kidnappers are demanding $1 million ransom per person.

The adult hostages are aged 18 to 48, the children from 8 months to 15 years, according to a statement from the organization on Tuesday. Sixteen of the abductees are Americans and one Canadian.

For some locals, the missionaries have made an important impact in the lives of those in need.

‘They built our schools. They pay our bills,’ Zachary Celus said. ‘They do everything for us. So now we can't do anything because they kidnapped them.’

In the peaceful demonstration north of Port-au-Prince, dozens of people walked through the streets of Titanyen demanding the release of the missionaries.

Some carried signs that read "Free the Americans" and "No to Kidnapping!"