A road-building caterpillar finally made it to a longsuffering village. But instead of use as hoped for, it was laden with a heavily armoured riot squad programmed to unleash live ammo in the Second Siege for Salisbury.
On a May 11 medical trip to Tete Morne, I commented excitedly to my host how I had not come across a single pothole from Lalle to the heights of Montin. The roadsides were neatly swiped clear of weeds and brimmed with a profusion flowers. Contented farmers and cattle dotted the lush hillsides in the distance. My exact words were, “You guys are living in the garden of Eden!” Indeed, my friend the Hon. Justina Charles, had taken good care of her constituency – as she should.
Unbeknownst to me at that very moment, tear gas was raining down the hapless constituents of Hon Hector John.
One month later, the day after the second siege of Salisbury, I toured Lavigie, the village center, just under 100 yards away from the cleared barricades. A crush of citizens waited patiently to tell me of their tribulations. Vendor Kimaline Xavier told me how her sons, 4-year old Kagan, and 1-year old Karun, almost stopped breathing when peppered with tears gas. She had to frantically flush their faces under the pipe. They still suffer from breathing difficulties, tremors and night terrors. Domlec supervisor Daniel Massicot describes himself as one who stays out of politics. He had break no-entry to rescue his 14-year son Jamie and 87-year-old grandmother, Gertrude Massicot. He describes their eyes as red and bulging. He had to rush them out of their home where they felt safe and removed from the conflict. Mr. Massicot’s entire family was left trembling and emotional mess.
Elderly Ma Edris Joseph was lucky not to be in her concrete house on the Morne. This is located about 100 yards away from the flat highway where the barricades were. Her house was sprayed with heavy caliber bullets, some piercing the walls and bursting out near her microwave in the kitchen. Space does not permit me to share graphic pictures police of weaponry left behind but which are widely published on social media.
I am a retired US Army surgeon. I have seen the results of M16 bullet wounds: shredded internal organs, ripped off limbs, and exploded heads. I am a law and order person but what are these people thinking? This is madness! Who gave the order, or did the police just take it upon themselves to do this? Many protests have taken place in civilized countries, most recently concerning a pattern of police brutality aimed at blacks in the United States. Live ammunition was never ever used. Everyone agrees that it is only by the grace of Almighty God that there were not tragic fatalities in Salisbury.
On May 18th, Lawyer Tiyani Behanzin broke the story that tear used during the first siege was over 15 years expired. Interestingly enough, the second time around the canister markings were clearly scraped off before these projectiles being rained down on the village center. My own research shows that according BBC reports, expired tear gas used in Tahir Square in Egypt 2011 may be more toxic and cause cancer. Those fumigated with the defective tear gas are documenting their exposure with private doctors should they need to make a claim for delayed complications.
Like the handful of villagers mentioned above, an increasing number of uninvolved people across this blessed land are becoming more fearless and defiant. They know that God is in control. The Salisbury Six and their families believe, like Henry David Thoreau, “Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is in prison.” In time, our justice system will find those committing crimes for personal enrichment, malice aforethought or lustful gratification. Christina Eusebe, Keith Bougouneau, Alex Howe, Hilary John, Gilbert Frederick and Peter Vidal committed no such crime.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but all other road-blocking incidents in living memory were resolved more or less with peaceful diplomacy – including when Rosie blocked the road in Canefield. You have to actually meet with the people and be serious about addressing their needs not just showing who is boss. These are Salisbury patriots are fighting selflessly for their means of livelihood, for agriculture, for your family and mine, as well as for future generations. Rest assured that people of conscience, from far and wide, will stand with you in your time of need.
From top to bottom, daily violence seems the language of choice in Dominica. I sincerely believe that this does not represent us. Do you? Our economy is more fragile that it was in 1979. Agriculture is in a tailspin. We are more dependent on tourism, medical schools, ex-pats and returnees who have the option of leaving and taking their money elsewhere.
The Dominica Hotel & Tourism Association and the Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce understand the risks and have offered to mediate. They see it as our vested interest to reduce tensions and help restore our image as a hospitable and tranquil place to live and work, to relax and retire. Freedom-loving Dominicans call for a commission of inquiry to include learned, respected public servants from the region. They should be mandated to investigate, not only into the unthinkable use of lethal force against an unarmed civilian population, but more importantly, the root causes of the unrest.
Bishop Malzaire and Fr. Barthelomwe Adamu understand the risks. I commend their efforts at conciliation. Salisbury community leaders were present. According to the latest press reports, the Bishop was unable to contact government officials. I am not sure what that means.
This is like something Cinderella’s stepmother would do. Even though we are human and have our favourites to whom we give preferential treatment, parents and governments have an obligation to at least give the appearance of impartiality. Tete Morne is lavished with infrastructure attention. Salisbury is wasting away with unrelenting neglect. After all, man! A clearer example cannot be found for cruel saying, “Drop dead or I’ll shoot you!”
Dominica is way too polarized. In my humble opinion we are teetering on on the edge of an abyss. I implore all parties to seek truth and reconciliation. If I’m not mistaken, it says somewhere, blessed are the peacemakers. Let us reflect, reach out across the political divide and retool our development agenda so it becomes truly inclusive of Dominicans.
Dr. Sam Christian is surgeon who runs the Urgent Care on 137 Bath Road. Dr. Christian can be reached at 440-9133, by writing to [email protected] or clicking on http://urgentcareda.weebly.com/
In our democracy the jury is responsible for justice,the judge for punishment and the police for law and order and apprehending criminals.while the people of salsbury have a right to protest for the rehabilitation of their roads it is a criminal offense to block the highway and if doc have the courage and honesty he must tell them so.while he disagrees which the methods used by the police,he also needs to condem the attack on the police by anti social elements from the village of salsbury or else doc your opinion will be what it seems to be a support of u.w.p criminal behaviour in the country.
” salsbury have a right to protest for the rehabilitation of their roads it is a criminal offense to block the highway”
“anti social elements from the village of salsbury or else doc your opinion will be what it seems to be a support of u.w.p criminal behaviour in the country.”
Whosoever, you are; I suspect you are mad: you are an raving lunatic; in the first place you don’t know how to spell Salisbury; you don’t know how to spell behavior, you do not know how to abbreviate UWP; yet you are here accusing Sam, of being a supporter of the UWP!
The man focused on the wrong perpetrated on the people, such as the old lady seen in the picture, he spoke of his experience as a military medical doctor; who has treated wounded solider’s in battle and here comes an uneducated piece of crap like you, attacking someone in who’s shoe you cannot stand!
Skerrit, and the rest of his circus defecates in your mouths, all you do is swallow it, and beg for more, you are an idiot!
Doc, I like to hear you speak. You’re a man that stands up for what you believe.
Don’t just tease our hopes. Don’t just make a splash and go back into your hole.
Dominica needs men and women like you now.
Go for it!
Courage is in short supply in Dominica. People who know right but afraid to lose their job dare not even comment online. They believe Skerrit can read their emails and messages. Handout people howl at anyone they think is coming them and their PM. Nothing else matters.
Doctor, your are a voice of reason. I salute your courage. We campaigned for Labour together, but not for this. “Police could kill a lot of people?” OMG! The inmates are really running the madhouse. Thanks for opening our eyes.
There must be a better way
Dictators, hold unto power by breathing fear into people you know. Some of the people who are afraid of Skerrit, I suspect, they see him standing over them in bed in their dream!
They rather suffer than vote the tyrant out of power, or better yet at this point and time overthrow him. The people such as civil servants, including the ruthless police and military must unite with the poor, and trodden-down people of the country and fight, not yielding to the wish of the government.
A united people shall prevail over tear gas, and bullets, if the country remains divided Skerrit and his circus players will prevail. Some people talk in secrete, about how they not going to vote for him, nevertheless, as soon as they see some free food, anything free; building materials even feces, the go to the poles, sell their pride and dignity, and bow to Skerrit as if he is a god!
Doc my grandmother in Doninican cannot stop singing your praises and she blessed your name every time she talk about you. You took good care of her visited her home and picked up her medication yourself and dropped it home for her. No other doctor had never done this for her before. My mother and i are happy in England knowing that our mother /grandmother is safe with her health with u.
Thanks doctor for all you do.
One of the best pieces so far on what is going on in Salisbury.STAND FIRM SALISBURY.
So because someone support a party they doh have to say what the gouvernement doing wrong then? Stupes tan. Doctor Christian campained hard for the DLP during election. I saw him. But he is someone who would put country first before party.
I support the Dlp ,I love my PM. I am a die hard labourite but i do not support what happened in Salisbury. Not at all. The police use too much excess force. I dont believe my pm was behind that but i believe a certain parl rep from Mahaut is arrogant enough to order the police to do this
Even if i believe that the police were arbitrary i think that the people from Salisbury acted stupidly also.There own people saying that.
Give doctor Christian a break. He is a true patriot.
I feelin sorry for those dotish dumbnicans dat commenting there…alas papa bohjay when u doh have common sense dat bad wi…why was it wrong for the police to use force but it was ok for d people to sen stones and bottles…thankfully the lady was not injured but wat about the big boulders that were raining down on innocent people trying to go about their business…had she been struck by one of those bullets it could probably have been tragic but what wat would have happened to my daughter had she been hit in the head by flying stones and bottles?
You are hypocritically concerned about people who could not go about for one day, but totally unconcerned about the Saisbury people livelihood being inaccessible for fifteen years.YOUR DARN WICKED SOUL.Tell Skerrit that Salisbury is part of Dominica too.Why didnt you try to unblock the road.
oh please…allu just using road as allu passport and any right thinking dominican will know that allu so called “standing up for allu rights protest” was political…allu have never supported the government so nothing they do allu wouldnt agree…I am concerned about my daughter being injured the same way allu talking about the old lady house that get how much bullet..talk for allu right but doh sen stone behind people dat doh do allu nothing…why allu doh go financial center or ministry and sen stones? dats where d people dat “illtreating” allu is…
Grand Bay people should plan a protest right in front the Doc’s office for his attempt to drag them into this Salisbury melee. They should prevent him from entering his office until he apologizes to them. We would then see who he would call to get the protesters to disperse!
I guess the truth offends eh!! Thank you lord for giving me the means that I may NEVER have to sing the praises of unjust men in order to get red scraps from the RED Clinic. Go ahead, block Dr. Christian clinic and you will see what patriots are made of. The DLP and the Cabal seems hell bent on starting a civil war by silencing the masses. Rest assured that there are a lot of wise people in this country that are NOT color blind and will always call a spade, a spade!
I AM SALISBURY, ARE U?
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
R u calling the minority UWP the masses? Shameless, be careful what you ALL are trying. Before anything you ALL running on Q95 and cry to Matt! Everyone born in Dominica is a Dominican but not ALL is SALISBURY!
Stop your garbage, you want to muzzle muzzle our free speech. Go tell Skerrit to consider giving urgent care to Salisbury
for you all laborites protest in salisbury is wrong but you all want to go in front of the doctor’s office to protest? protest for what ?
Actually ,Doc., blocking the public road is a criminal offense,denying others the right to go about their lawful business such as going to school or to work is also a criminal offense .So is throwing missiles in whatever shape or form at the police, whatever the circumstances, a criminal offense.And by the way when Rosie blocked the roads ,it was also resolved with tear gas and a state of emergency to boot.
On a May 11 medical trip to Tete Morne, I commented excitedly to my host how I had not come across a single pothole from Lalle to the heights of Montin. The roadsides were neatly swiped clear of weeds and brimmed with a profusion flowers. Contented farmers and cattle dotted the lush hillsides in the distance. My exact words were, “You guys are living in the garden of Eden!” LIKE MY BROTHER & IRVIN’s book lol! Indeed, my friend the Hon. Justina Charles, had taken good care of her constituency – as she should.
I am a retired US Army surgeon. I have seen the results of M16 bullet wounds: shredded internal organs, ripped off limbs, and exploded heads. I am a law and order person but what are these people thinking? This is madness! Who gave the order, or did the police just take it upon themselves to do this? Many protests have taken place in civilized countries, most recently concerning a pattern of police brutality aimed at blacks in the United States. Live ammunition was never ever…
Maybe Sam should lead the REVO like CHE or go back to Tiffany and have all the breakfasts he can muster.
Excellent piece Doctor…..You laid it out correctly.
Get ready for the attacked but I have no doubt you will go down dying rather than betray our people who are standing up for their rights.
Dr. Christian you are absolutely correct, however Dominica is runned by a psycho maniac who will do whatever it takes to hang on to power. That includes, payment to church right before elections, put his country men in top position so he can control all aspects of Dominica. He is effectively in charge of the purse and the force. He has shown admiration for the likes of Chavez Gaddafi and other psycho leaders. He is a compulsive liar and makes decisions on a dime expecting everyone to say yes or cease to exist. He has effectively fired ministers who won their seats as in the case in wesely telling people who he want to represent then. Our problem is Roosevelt Skeritt who has no respect for dominicans, Dominica, and the Constitution. We have allowed a monster to propergate. The only way to healing doctor is to get rid of the cause of the maladee.
Who is the Boss? Exercise ‘Wisdom’. Haven’t we learned from our past? Lest we forget. There is a proper way to do things. We are being watched closely.
Thank you doctor Christian, it is unfortunate that some people will not read this article and some may read but not understand, because all they see is red. We must remember that the world is a cycle. for the people who are asking for the police to kill the people dont worry you day will come.
good job
Those guns were left in bawi for a reason.
Do they want the people to use those weapons giving them, the police, a reason to open fire the next time?
Intentionally left there I think!
WE are now approaching what Haiti was in the 60s ,70.s 80,& 90’s. Haiti is now better than we are currently. Baby doc went to France for yrs only to return poor in bad health and recently died.
Is Skerrit going to leave for France soon or Venezuela? Who knows maybe the good old USA.
Dimitri is too young to file for him? or do they have their green cards, venezuelan card, French passport ( did he really give up the french citizenship?) What of Petter pepper ?(and now I heard Malaysian citizenship) WE have to hold down Charles Skerrit -Douglas air strip and the ports but seriously hold down the bays in the north no escape.
Sav! Charlo look out they might arrest you in ur Pjs like the president somewhere in central America some 3-4 yrs ago. lolLMAO
well well you are not safe at home no moor lord help us
Simply Sam- great patriotic account of the now and then. But lets me clear and I know you did not want to include that in your article or space did not permit you. But do you consider the current PM a leader? Do you consider the man from Mahaut who is in charge of the police a leader? I am glad that you are making your voice heard now but it would be more convincing if you had said something more during the election campaign. You and your attorney brother kept quiet. Why now must I ask? I suppose better late than never.
Where are the Diaspora voters who got an airplane ‘vep’ and a hot meal to vote for this government? They are in Chicago, Miami , NJ and elsewhere and now Dominica is burning. Sadly Sam, I do not see a happy ending here with Skerrit and his lacky Blackmoore running things. I think it will get worst before it gets better. But great effort with is article. Thanks man!!!
Dr. Christian could you tell us when in the past did protestors block roads and when the police attempted to unblock the road they were attacked with stones. If that did happen could you yell us what the response of the police was. You seem only to be focussing on the response of the police and not the criminal part of the protest.
When it was marigot the ministers found themselves there, when it was colihaut the ministers came, when it was layou the ministers came, when it was calibishie the ministers came so they did not had to pepper them with tear gas. Where are you living? Are you not living in Dominica?
The ministers came quickly in all the instances i can remember. But for Salisbury they refuse to show up.THOSE CORRUPTED LEADERS. Thats why i fully support what the Salisbury peoplee did.’ I AM CALLING UPON THEM TO STAND THEIR GROUND!
“conscience is the best judge “…Thanks Dr.Christian for awakening our consciences with this message
Great word. We need persons like him in the commission of inquiry. We can’t afford not to
have one. If the tear gas was good as Weekes said then why remove the expiry date.
Well said Dr. I might be mistaken but, is it possible for any organization much less country have any substantial growth on one persons efforts. Even millionaires needs doctors, and farmers ect to survive. 7f we as a people are to grow and develope to a place where most dominicans would envision, we need each other and every sector to perform at the best of their abilities. Surely it is possible to resolve such a situation efficiently with less agressiveness and greater precision than engaging in conflict which i don’t see the profit or benefit for any party or group. Our current economy which im not sure what the precise stats would say but unrest or such tension in no way is any advantage to us as a people, so i concur with the doctor and others lets have reconciliation, can it be done yes it can. Whats done is behind us, question is what are we doing about it now? Solve the side effects of what ever went in disarray or the root of it all?
Okkk dr Christian….I get ur point…but no one’s telling me that ur voice on this isn’t politically influenced. You people are sicken with all this fighting and trying to seem smarter than others. So if u r dealing with a psych patient who lashed at you for no reason. You’re gonna approach without precautions there after huh? This was no peaceful protest police officers were stonned! Persons who tried to get by were attacked! This is nothing but political riot..continue
What an excellent piece from Dr. Christian. Thanks for drawing the comparison between Tete Morne and Salisbury, clearly pointing out that the ruling party takes care of its own. What does this mean? That this government is one not for all the people, but a government that ignores those who are in opposition of its policies and governance.
As a Dominican I join my voice in condemning the government’s action in the use of unprovoked lethal force on an innocent group of people. Can you imagine the elderly and the children who had absolutely nothing to do with what was going were affected by the tear gas? That is just unjustifiable. Certainly , it’s time for change. All right minded people must condemn this activity.
Thank you for this great piece Doc. May god continue to open the eyes of all politically blind Dominicans. Those who have eyes let them see, those who have ears let them hear.
I AM SALISBURY, ARE U?
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
Well put together Doc. What people in power never seem to realise is that one day their hold on power will end. Either through the will if the very people who held them in high esteem, or by self destruction.
This present government has no regard for the people, especially the opposition. They have the total hold on power because there is no one in law and order to arrest them, not even take them in for questioning.
Because of this, they behave like they are above the law. But little do they know, there is a higher power. Tell them to Take stock.
It’s just a repeat of police officers and politics,abusing the people who wants nothing but justice and equality in there country .I vote that we as a people should stand for or right and work as a team ,towards achieving our goal and success.we are a people of great standards and is time we say enough is enough. …if we don’t fight for rights who will ,we are DOMINICAN’S so it’s time we start fighting for it
Doc funny how you never mention the people who was to call for peace called for there to be disruption in the country. Sir the same report you said you found I read it too and at the end the write said he’s yet to find a doctor who would say for sure. did the Baltimore police get stoned? in other parts of the states were tear gases not used to dispersed the crowds? look 2wknds ago the NJ police had to tear gas people at the hot97 show. Just like in the middle east you can’t fire on the police from these people property, am to ask you Doc what should the police have done? where you lived in the states could people have blocked the rd for 1hr much less for 15hrs? I guess its ok with you that the UWP leader said if you take one you take all? and do you know what evidence they had to arrest the ones names you called? but hey you were one of them that walked around the financial center seven times. What can I say?
Finally! someone who saw right through this ! This documentary by Dr is one sided.
The author of this article is just as guilty of what he thinks Government should exhibit. This is far from being fair and balanced. Have you been listening to the rantings of John? Why haven’t you condemned the acts of violence by those who threw stones at the public? Why did you not ask John to tone down on his combative leadership style? Instead, you are bashing the authorities, whom I honestly believe have not demonstrated leadership in addressing the situation. Truthfully, I am very disappointed in the manner in which this situation has been handled. I am of the view that the PM and Commissioner Carbon need to be in the forefront, the Nation needs to be addressed, I have concluded that the minority is in control as this point. Your writing is insinuating that the people should be given the okay to break rules and do as they please in the name of democracy? As it is, the Government has proven to be weak, any further leeway to law breakers will be a detriment to the ruling Party.
These ppl such as dr christian r just biased..they see one side..it’s all political nothing to do with ppls well being..smh
I support Dr. Christian. We need a commission of inquiry. This sort of repression will fail miserably as freedom loving Dominicans will never accept for their rights to be trampled under foot. We need a commission of inquiry and must work to ensure that such police tactics are not used in the future. Let us work for peace and reconciliation with justice to avoid bloodshed on our lovely island. We are supposed to be in a democracy not a dictatorship.
Unfortunately there is no middle ground in Dominica. People support their party and they have no time to see things from the other angle.
Amen my brother. Well spoken. I support u 100%. Thank you for that.. God bless you..