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Protesters & police clash in Dominica

- missiles thrown & stores looted
Angry protesters lit a fire on the streets of Roseau, Dominica on February 7, 2017. Photo: Dominica News Online
One of the stores damage during a protest that turned violent in Roseau, Dominica on February 7, 2017. Photo: Dominica News Online
One of the stores damage during a protest that turned violent in Roseau, Dominica on February 7, 2017. Photo: Dominica News Online
One of the stores damage during a protest that turned violent in Roseau, Dominica on February 7, 2017. Photo: Dominica News Online
One of the stores damage during a protest that turned violent in Roseau, Dominica on February 7, 2017. Photo: Dominica News Online
Dominica Prime Minister Skerrit takes a look at the battered city, Roseau on Wednesday February 8, 2017. Photo: Dominica News Online
Dominica Prime Minister Skerrit takes a look at the battered city, Roseau on Wednesday February 8, 2017. Photo: Dominica News Online
ROSEAU, Dominica- The usually quiet Tuesday evening in the capital Roseau, turned into a scene straight out of a movie when hours following a public meeting and demonstration organised by the Opposition United Workers Party (UWP), demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, turned chaotic on February 7, 2017.

Videos, still images and eyewitnesses could only explain so much when the country saw lingering protesters and the local law enforcement officials confronting each other in a rock and bottles throwing tirade which resulted in broken store windows and looting. Some roads were also blocked and fires ignited on the streets, resulting in the police resorting to the use of tear gas to restore some semblance of order.

Prime Minister Skerrit, following a first-hand look of the battered city, said in a statement later in the day, today Wednesday February 8, 2017, that neither he nor the Government had any intentions to “get out” due to any groups or individual but only through the ballots.

Attack on democracy

Meantime, the blame game has begun, with the Prime Minister Skerrit and the Minister for National Security Honourable Rayburn Blackmore describing the recent events as an attack on the state and democracy, pointing the finger on the Opposition UWP as the culprit.

They vowed that lawmen will get to the bottom of the incident, which has lit up social media and has been hitting the local and regional news headlines.

This is what the Prime Minister had to say as he addressed the nation earlier today.

“Nobody and no group of individuals is going to get me out or my government out without going through the ballots of Dominica,” he said during his speech at the AID Bank’s 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held today, Wednesday, at the Fort Young Hotel.

He alluded to his visit to the various business places that received damage saying that the riot was “organised clearly by the leadership of the United Workers Party and their associates.”

Christians lambasted

He continued, “It is incomprehensible where Christian people in this country, those of us who have a Bible and go to Church every morning and praise God would be condoning the actions of this United Workers Party because of our partisanship? And we call this country ours? That we love this country? That we are not prepared to stand in defense of the people who have invested their money and criminals go about the streets and destroying these people investments?”

He added that the violent acts had nothing to do with him as the leader of the country but had everything to do with the country and its future, stating that when the wrong impression is sent to the world that Dominica is not a place to do business and to come to visit. “How are we going to create jobs in Dominica? How are we going to sustain the economy? How are we going to expand the economy to address the poverty levels in our country?”

The country’s leader pointed out that him being silent should not be misrepresented as a weakness.

“I am measured with my approach in life,” he said, “But let it be known that there should be no actions on the part of individuals in Dominica to overthrow this government. So if that is their intention, I am sending a message to them, they better rethink their plans,” he stated.

In conclusion, he remarked that the violence was planned and calculated, saying that the business places that were targeted were not just random and those who committed those acts are in fact criminals who got paid, and he wants to find out, “Who paid them?”

Opposition still pushing for Skerrit to resign

The Opposition has pledged to take a petition for the resignation of Skerrit around the country, in search of “a few thousand” signatories.

The Opposition Leader Lennox Linton also commented on the riotous acts, saying it was merely a “plot at work” under the cover of darkness, querying the reason why the police officers who were on duty stood and watched the pressure build in the town before nipping it in the bud.

28 Responses to “Protesters & police clash in Dominica”

  • march against ndp (08/02/2017, 21:02) Like (28) Dislike (13) Reply
    Bvi need to do this here
    • Reply (08/02/2017, 21:56) Like (14) Dislike (8) Reply
      I would certainly contribute to that effort.
    • ha (08/02/2017, 22:14) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
      These people here only know how to talk S..t, gossip and be ignorant. They will never get up and protest. They are to afraid. Something to help them change things for the better, they sit back like a lazy toad with their mouths closed. But, they quick to jump to action and defend the criminals about injustice.

      • Gumption.Official (09/02/2017, 09:39) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
        i'm from here & full agreed with you. shame shame shame
      • thank you (09/02/2017, 14:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ha, you are so correct. The citizens here are their own oppressors/worst enemies. When it come time to stand up and break the chains to make things better for themselves, their lips are sealed. When the criminals, gangsters, dope pushers anything connected to crimes that is wrong, then they are willing to go the mile to defend wrong doing. The BVI and the ignorance that is the norm is going to self destruct very soon.
    • no way (08/02/2017, 22:43) Like (9) Dislike (12) Reply
      No we do not. We do not have to do what everyone else does
      • @ No way. or no brain. (09/02/2017, 07:07) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ No way. Have you ever been hungry for a whole day nothing to eat? Do you have 7_8 or 9 subject and can't get a job just because ur family didn't back NDP. If you don't then Shut up. Let people live their experience...
    • Really (09/02/2017, 10:21) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      We need to destroy people property and who would be hurting? I would like to know what was accomplished by destroying people property if they are 'upset' with Skerrit. We have no compassion for what some of these people have to go through to get their business back in order.

    • concern (09/02/2017, 10:54) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      No we don't. Not the way to do politics, and we would be on watch - this would affect tourism and off shore banking therefore jobs and people livelihood. Is that really what you want? If you want to make a change in government vote the right way this time.
  • Example set... (08/02/2017, 21:26) Like (26) Dislike (0) Reply
    We the people just talk and no actual action against the leeches that run this 24 sq. mile country. I however do not condone breaking the law through looting, etc, but banning together as a people and stepping boldly without repercussions is what this gov't needs. They treat us like we are fools, they dictate policies without any public input and then we have to deal with the after effects. Many persons regretting who they voted for. Some of those very Hon. would pass you straight on the street unless they personally know you. Anyway, wages increased, so food increased, rent and mortgage high, school supplies high, NHI plus Social security high, and the list goes on. Many persons out of a job, qualified , labourers , etc. Businesses put jobs out that they have already filled. I personally know of an outer island hotel notorious for this, they even at times don't advertise the job or they interview qualified locals, but hire their own race instead and most times with lower qualifications, these things need to be investigated. SMH So many injustices and I can go on and on. Just like they pulled a snap election , we the people need to 'snap' some of these leaders into reality, not the fantasy and privileged world they live in.
  • qc (08/02/2017, 21:53) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    only of people in the bvi had the balls
    • @qc (09/02/2017, 13:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Note that the people IN the BVI is made up of numerous nationals from the caribbean region, USA, Europe and Asia. You want to tell me that NONE of them has balls?
      • DA (09/02/2017, 15:16) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Yeah? only when it is convenient the expats come into play? for all u to say they not from here? what they doing> they cannot do that in their own country and they want to come do it here?

        All u have so much mouth do things on all u own. Stand up for all u country and treat others how all u expect to be treated and then maybe the expats will help in that area.

        In the meantime, those that Born Here let them do what they want or do nothing at all like they doing now.
        • Expat (09/02/2017, 18:33) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
          Neva block no road nor picket inna my country-not doing it here... U have the right to vote-USE IT-
  • island man (08/02/2017, 21:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are a country awash in guns and violence on our streets and in our news and entertainment media, and those in power!!
    • Jah Soldier (09/02/2017, 06:59) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
      People rising up. Right now the youths them rather die fighting for a better future than to live day by day in hunger, oppression, Victimization and can't find work all they see is their future is darkness.. They are demanding change. I really ain see nothing wrong with that.
  • rattie (08/02/2017, 22:04) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Obviously the voters turn against Labour!!!!!
  • 411 (08/02/2017, 22:20) Like (2) Dislike (15) Reply
    My wife and I enjoyed a great time in Dominica years ago, but I reckon we'll be boycotting the island as long as its government and people act like a lynch mob.
    • Dominican (09/02/2017, 08:54) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
      You go on like Dominica is the only place who have riots. They have to stand up for thier rights. All countries have this so get it into ur head. US, UK, all!!!
  • lord o. (09/02/2017, 06:50) Like (39) Dislike (0) Reply
    Skerit Soft. Soft. Like Doctor Smith. Not the kind of Leader for these tough times. He took tax payers money and Bail out Liat now Liat dis him and the people of Dominica. I will always love SK. Douglas told Liat he will only consider giving Liat tax payers money when they get the price to fly between st Kitts and Antigua a 15 minutes flight below $400.00 EC. Which is $130.U S When that is done come back and talk to him... Leadership..
  • gkefkkdakxq (09/02/2017, 09:41) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    Lets march for bob and tico
  • @fam (09/02/2017, 11:50) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    How come we did not march agianst the robberies that plague our territory or the crimes that are rampant in our society? Why we did not march when Frankie Fahie and the others who were gun down? How come criminals are celebrated in our country and the men and woman who risk their lives everyday, Police, Teachers, yes!! teachers, Customs, Immigation, Fire and Prison Officers and medical personel are treated as d..gs?.
    • Exactly (09/02/2017, 19:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with you. These ignoramus in this County only stand up for the Criminals and the wrong doers.
  • hello (09/02/2017, 13:36) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    They looted stores belonging to those who set up shop and not from the caribbean.... every caribbean island knows these leeches that come here make millions and send back home but never give back to the indigenous. Black ppl need to stop actin like this when they not the ones doin wa they got to do for themselves. Its time to wake up. If we buy and support our own, these people will close up shop and move back where hey and their ancestors from overnight
  • Real Talk (09/02/2017, 22:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    In the BVI we just talk talk talk an swallow what ever the government dashes out bet if we use to do big protests and riots lots of things would be different wake up BVI let's got to the admin complex an throw stones
  • jokes (09/02/2017, 22:42) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    What is at stake here is whether magical thinking should be allowed to prevail over rational analysis.
  • link (10/02/2017, 18:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    For the other side of the coin follow this link:

    https://audioboom.com/posts/5579112-prc-iran-money-laundering-and-sanctions-busting-in-the-caribbean-gregory-copley-defense-foreign-affairs


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