Supporters of former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide have held a rally marking the 20th anniversary of the military coup that toppled the two-time leader during his first term in office, the Associated Press reports.

Ansyto Felix of Aristide’s Family Lavalas political party says the 1991 ouster of the populist leader was a rupture in Haiti’s long struggle for a more democratic society.

Friday’s rally is the first of its kind since Aristide returned to his homeland last March after a seven-year exile in South Africa. A rebellion in 2004 ousted the former Roman Catholic priest during his second term.

Thousands of supporters greeted Aristide upon his return earlier this year, but a crowd of only about 200 people showed up for the rally.

For the original report go to http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/30/3951329/aristide-supporters-in-haiti-mark.html#ixzz1Zabw5mJz