Concerned Citizens Movement to protest outside Electoral Office

A CCM organized protest earlier this year

The Concerned Citizens Movement of Dominica (CCM) is taking its fight for free and fair elections in Dominica to the door step of the Electoral Commission.

The CCM has been actively advocating for electoral reform in Dominica since January 2018, through its weekly radio programme, a public education campaign and a number of public protests against such issues as the government’s proposed amendment to the Elections Act.

Now, in its latest move, the CCM plans to hold a protest on Saturday, December 15, outside the Electoral Office on Turkey Lane in Roseau.

The president of the organization, Loftus Durand, said in an interview with DNO, that this time, the CCM decided to  hold their activity on a Saturday because of the success that similar activities have yielded in other Caribbean islands where they  have been held on the weekend.

“And so we decided to go out of the box a little bit in terms of this time around, this protest action, standing up for the whole idea of a free and fair election process in Dominica. We’re asking the government and well, the Electoral Commission, that is, to implement some of the reforms that we have been talking [about] for a very long time now.”

Durand says that the gradual increase in support for the activities of the CCM since January, has been commendable and attributes the absence of massive turn outs to what he describes as “the level of victimization and intimidation that goes on.”

“But nonetheless, we are still calling on the people to stand up for their democratic rights,” Durand said. “We had a meeting with a very high level team of persons from the US who came down here to visit us and they told us basically, what we need to do more of is to have more persons in the streets talking about their rights, demanding their rights, because if it is just a few of us on the streets, let’s say 50 or 60 of us, it may not be so, but it would seem as if is just a disgruntled few that have, you know, some personal vendetta, whatever, against the government.”

However, he said significant participation in such protest activities would be a more effective representation of the wishes of the people “and they now, would do what they have to do in terms of intervention.”

When questioned about the team of “high level people” from the US who he said visited his group, he said for reasons of confidentiality, he was unable to mention their names but revealed that they had US government connections.

“What they told us is that they are basically monitoring things on the ground in Dominica as it pertains to elections, as it pertains people’s rights in Dominica, as it pertains to the every day dealings in Dominica…and they are doing what they have to do to monitor the situation in Dominica,” Durand stated.

The CCM leader made it clear the activity to be held on December 15th will be a peaceful protest and not a demonstration.

“We are not having a demonstration. We will not be moving from any one point to any one point. What we will be doing, we will be having a very peaceful protest, I must say, in that we are using the right of our constitution to come and assemble together as people of Dominica and basically, plead our cause to the Electoral Commission, plead our cause to the government, plead our cause to the regional community, plead our cause to the international community that there are people in Dominica who will obey  the constitution and basically stand in defense of  their country,” Durand explained.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

23 Comments

  1. Joseph John
    December 10, 2018

    What is the isssues ? Are citizens of Dominica being prevented to exercise their birth rights. If you are a citizen “BY BIRTH” of any country you have a constitutional and human right to vote. If anyone interferes with that right and prevent you from voting you have to contest that decision. This is custom and statute law that was establish way back in Roman law that is codified in all democratic and civilized nations of the world . Yea, we have gone global. GLOBALIZATION!
    Last election there were observers I hope there will be even more this year.
    Some people are claiming that the list is bigger than our population, but remember that more than half of our population reside overseas . Because they enjoy dual citizenship they have a right to contest elections and can exercise their BIRTH RIGHTS to vote.
    The authorities should make that quite clear. DNO and other media entities should be involve to ensure that citizens are not dis-enfranchised. Injunction time coming.

  2. Eagle-Eyed
    December 10, 2018

    If what this Durand guy is saying, is true, that the Americans who visited him represent the US government, then the Dominican government should summon the US Ambassador to protest about Donald Trump interfering in our democratic processes to try and influence the outcome of our elections. The Americans recently imposed sanctions on the Russians for interfering in their own elections. We should consider imposing sanctions on the Americans as well. What is good for the goose is just as good for the gander!

  3. Neville
    December 8, 2018

    We demand fair elections and and openness and accountability by the Skerrit regime.

  4. Sisserou
    December 7, 2018

    This Government is not proactive but reactive; give the people what they want. We want and demand free and fair elections, its high time to clean the voters lists. :mrgreen:

  5. Anon
    December 6, 2018

    Discretion is necessary in order to achieve the desired end.

    • Anon's buddy
      December 9, 2018

      Anon this is opportunism with a human face. are you one? You are suspect.

    • Anon's buddy
      December 9, 2018

      Anon desire is like pie in the sky. either you want it or not you’d be clear taking not only desiring is like want as apposed to need. you are clearly a conservative on the side of probabilities. I believe in being certain when comes to my rights.

  6. Mannie
    December 6, 2018

    Why Saturday? Isn’t the place closed?

  7. Joe Linton
    December 6, 2018

    what time is this protest?

  8. %
    December 6, 2018

    What the corrupt gang of DLP Misleaders has done is to intimidate protesters by using their goons in the police force,but this too shall come to an end.Skerrit with his dangerously bad lying tongue even accused the opposition of attempting to overthrow his government with a truck filled with musical speakers ..This man is wicked and evil… Skerrit said that Dominica does not need an opposition..As election is drawing closer the CCM needs to write again to all Caribbean governments,and other organizations,like the OAS,Commonwealth Election Observer Team,Carter Center,etc to update them on what is happening on island..Those violating the USA law should also be exposed to the relevant authorities.Once God grants me life and I am not sick,I SHALL be present ..I do not miss out on these events.
    I would like to effusively thank the CCM for stridently standing up for country .Dominic is in crisis,and I am with you all …
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    LAZY Skerrit Must Go No

    • Love
      December 6, 2018

      % get a life, I can smell the skunk views expressed miles away. What an act of desperation. Was that the same wounded dog 🐶 who was on Q 😢 😭.

      • Rat Race
        December 7, 2018

        @Love.
        what actions are you taking to promote a free and fair election? People have a right to express their views, especially when it’s clear that there are major issues with elections in Dominica. You choose a name “Love” but it seems like you type it back to front.

  9. Ibo France
    December 6, 2018

    Dominicans should be so incensed about the non-implementation of fair and sensible suggestions and recommendations made by the Commonwealth group and the OAS, two renowned and highly reputable organizations. Most Dominicans should be extremely motivated to participate in non-violent actions to effect changes to the electoral system. What is the Skerrit-led regime afraid of? These changes wouldn’t favor any political party but give all contending parties a fair chance at the polls. Any political party that stubbornly resist changes to eliminate loopholes in the electoral system and eradicate voter fraud, does so because they benefit substantially from the present corrupt operating system. Free and fair elections would only be realized by the resolute actions of the fair-minded masses of Dominicans. The people don’t want an advantage, they want only a fair playing field. Is that too much to ask for?

  10. Not an easy road
    December 6, 2018

    We must understand the crisis in Dominica and becareful not to make it a large turn out thing. I thank God for the few brave soldiers that are not afraid to call Q95 or turn out in protest. It might just be a few, but don’t get discouraged because in secret there are more that support the cause than those against. I know many that dress in Red and talk the Red talk but vote blue. I often hear the call for thousands to protest but we must becareful with that because these are difficult times these days. Not only that but God only needed 300 bold, fearless and courageous men to give Gedeon a massive victory in Judges 7. So though I don’t mean to discourage anyone from joining the protest on Saturday December 15, I just want to let the CCM and opposition by extension know that we are with them in our prayers and thoughts, and we’ll definitely vote Skerrit out in very large numbers come election day. So be strong and very courageous as you lead the battle knowing your strength is deep

  11. Not an easy road
    December 6, 2018

    We must becareful that we don’t give people the impression that a successful protest is about large crowd. Not only that but these are very hard and difficult times in Dominica where many are without a job, without a roof, and many hoping and depending on Skerrit to give them a handout. As a result, many, including myself, though opposed to where Skerrit has taken Dominica after 18 years, yet will continue to remain silent, because of fair of victimization during this difficult time, not knowing how long before elections are called to vote them out. This coming election season I would not be surprised to see fewer people at meetings organized by the opposition while very large crowds at DLP meetings. But people must remember that large crowds don’t necessarily mean they going to vote for DLp because I and my family attend all DlP functions, just as part of the choir but come election day DLP sure won’t get our vote. So the CCM and opposition must understand the crisis we in

  12. Not an easy road
    December 6, 2018

    “Peaceful, lawful protest – if it is effective – is innately disruptive of ‘business as usual.’ That is why it is effective.” – Naomi Wolf”
    Instead of a protest Lofty and the CCM group should refer to the event as a public meeting because on Saturday the place will be closed, nobody will be at work and therefore their will be no disruption of everyday business. Yes we might have a few more persons on the street but the success of a protest is not not necessarily measured by the turn out but rather, by causing disruption of business. To me it would have been more effective to have it on a business day, by around 12 o’clock . So if we don’t see a large crowd on Saturday are we going to stop protesting and see it as a failure? It would be very effective if 25 persons turned out during working hours than 100 on a Saturday. This is not a cricket or football game but a protest, and therefore we should have it during work hours to get the attention it deserves

  13. Ras
    December 6, 2018

    I assume that the “high level team of persons from the US” that Durand has referred to was not from the Republican Party, since their Democratic Party counterparts are accusing them of strategies designed to suppress the voting rights of blacks and Hispanics in the USA.
    Let Durand tell us about the efforts of his CCM toward cleansing of the voters list using the procedures outlined in the relevant laws of Dominica !

    • Expat
      December 6, 2018

      Ras, Mr. Durand must not be abreast with what is happening in America. The present American government has been accused of voter suppression in many ways imaginable and Mr. Durand has the nerve to say that the American authorities are looking at what is happening in Dominica. Evidently, his letter to the various organizations was not well received.

  14. Mouche Miel
    December 6, 2018

    cont’d.
    The alternative lifestyle folk took all their hate, discrimination and today control the world bzness circles.
    He has a point it’s la di why endurance which counts. Sticktoitiveness.

    • Reader
      December 6, 2018

      Well said MM you got that right! DFP waited in line mamo despite my opposition to her policies. She stock with it and bc PM in the elections of 1980-1995. She waited the famous it’s la di why endurance which counts. Sticktoitiveness all over again. The struggle is long& hard. To win it you got to be in it. Lotto style.I was driving home tonight and my radio was on. So up came my favorite current hit “Living my best life” by Lil Duval and Snoop Dog. I applied it to our local situation as the lines go You eating well off you food stamps , in the club every night without a job. last year you commited fraud.
      It’s so real with the Next level opportunists. They living their best life from borbol passport sales dancing to the bank withal their millions just watch the video of dancing Blackburn. The opposition wants to live their best life too. LL does not dress up like his Larry king wannabe days. I see him in pumpum shorts often- don’t know if it’s the environmental heat or the…

    • Your auntie brother
      December 7, 2018

      Sorry bro but Idont understand a word of what you trying to say. Perhaps you take too much of that honey this time and muddle your brain. Come again please.

      • Ur Nephew-Your auntie broth
        December 9, 2018

        My uncle then or 1/2 uncle -U must be on Medical marijuana long time before the current interest to make it legal or not that’s why ! hahahaaah
        Your brain done passed fried? you must have graduated as Dr who was appointed director to the investigation committee on Marijuana hahahhahahahah Are Snoop dog? living ur best life stoned?

  15. Mouche Miel
    December 6, 2018

    Isn’t it ironic that Mr. Sr. Counsel, Mr. Gerald Charles Burton were the original members of the CCM back in the day early 90’s. They were a regular feature on Mrapin with then (Our local Larry King-LL turn opposition leader thx 2 The Eddo alias Medicine Man who is looking towards a Saverin like stunt/position alias Ayattola in the event UWP forms the election amidst the numerous faux pas, bold nonsense corrupt practices of the Neo labour ej ) Now that we need the left of the 80’s. All have morphed in Neo DLP & UWP opportunists. Others are too disgraced to continue. There is this joke about one from the west coast who was locked up in the 80’s who it is said began whipping as an infant on time out, Whilst the others laughed and wondered who/what kid of comrade/ revolutionary was in their ranks.If the leftof the 80’s were sincere they could have been a comfortable prepared alternative today. As a friend once told me they should have taken a leaf from the the alternate lifestyle…

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available