One day after major protest action rocked the farming community of Salisbury on the western coast of Dominica, reports indicate everything is relatively quiet.
On Monday farmers and resident blocked the E.O Leblanc Highway in the area, claiming the government has the community and roads, including farm access roads, are in deplorable condition.
Police eventually used tear gas and pellets to disperse protesters and the road was eventually cleared.
DNO spoke to several farmers on Tuesday and many say the protest action was justified.
One farmer, who preferred to remain anonymous, said she is proud of her community for what she calls a fight for the rights of farmers as Dominicans.
“I want to say something to Dominicans, we fought for our rights yesterday and people saying so many things, negative things,” she said. “I mean if all you not in support I can understand, but don’t make us think like we not from here. We are Dominicans and we suffering so much in our community.”
She noted that for 15 years Salisbury has suffered under the rule of the Dominica Labour Party and is inviting Dominicans to come and see for themselves what residents are protesting about.
“Come to Salisbury to see the state of the Salisbury road leading up to the feeder roads,” she said, adding that the roads have been a hazard for both the young and old.
She continued, “What I can say is today is ours, tomorrow will be somebody else’s. It may not be for feeder roads, maybe is their husband, their wife, their children, their church. I am proud of Salisbury people.”
She insisted that the protest was not political.
“I have never seen my community united in one like that and that is why I am so proud of them,” she stated. “People who were vex, I saw them talk yesterday, I saw them cry, I saw them hug. Everything happens for a reason, everything has its time and its place in life.”
Another farmer, Hillary Shillingford, described the government’s response to the protest as irresponsible.
“I want it to be noted that I believe in all that transpired yesterday, the actions of the government was reckless and irresponsible,” he said.
His remarks come in light of protesters’ rejection of government’s proposal to a meeting with a ten-member delegation in Roseau.
Shillingford insisted that the government representatives should have visited Salisbury instead to discuss the matter.
He noted that if government officials had only spared “a half an hour conversation,” every single thing that transpired on Monday would have been avoided.
“All the people were asking for is for them to be addressed because they were being fooled year after year and I believe any government has a responsibility to answer to the people,” he said.
He noted it is the norm that the government officials come to the people and not the other way around.
Shillingford, who was recently appointed to the Electoral Commission, said although he supported the protest 100 percent, it was to his disadvantage.
He said every Monday he transports produce to Roseau and because of the protest he lost about three out of 10 bags of pumpkins. He also said his barbeque grill and trailer were used to block the road without his knowledge.
He also denied claims that he was one of the organizers of the protest.
Yes I ehbeh DA come out! Is dat mem. Woy!
Too many times when something is not happening in our back yard we tend to ignore the situation …when things are good with us we ignore the cry of others! It was a great day in Dominica when the people of Salisbury stood for what they believe . Yes other villages were affected but now you have a slight idea of how it is to be inconvenienced! Some of you speak about your appointments that were missed. ….how about farmers not making a daily living because of the condition of the roads ….when we start to care about our neighbor , only then there will be unity amongst all …and for those of you who dislike my comment blessings upon you and your household. …no bad intentions!
When one village is affected the whole island suffers…we say we are one people,one nation but when Salisbury people need our support we stand far off. The people are Dominicans not foriegners…and they must have a valid reason to behave like that. I believe that they were invaded by the police on their own land. We are teaching our people to SHUT UP ! SPEAK FOR YOUR RIGHT! TO THE GOVERNMENT TREAT EVERYONE EQUALLY….LISTEN TO UR PEOPLE…WE CAN STILL REMOVE YOU FROM OFFICE!
Times have changed in D/ca.
I never thought I would see the police wearing this type of gear and helmet.
I suppose in these times it is necessary especially as the protesters promised to continue protesting. If they did, God only knows what would further ensue.
papabodieu never dominica have those kind of mask police there
Why isn’t the police com. investing in some form of armored vehicle to use in cases like that.That would reduce the risk of having these guys get hurt.Some form of heavy duty equipment should be used to clear the road instead of your guy.Looking at the video,the guys were like sitting ducks.Our people are really very peaceful.Better planing has to be done.The cops were only at the site of the incident.The whole area should be covered.We can do much better.
that is not crap who ever u are when police with chin saw it is not crap I know what I see and know what I hear so SHUTUP when people demonstrating over what they are suffering u call it crap. have you ever bin to Salisbury ? stop singing for your super and have a nice day
@ love
yes it is crap, the police are human being just like you and I.
what should they do stand here and get hit by stones etc no
you people talk about public brutally, now is police brutually, officer did not do enough they should out their light for them.
wen innocent pple was in dr house getting tear gas you should come n help,all them elderly they had to transport to d health center doe wory that police force have too see it ,wicked pigs,so wen you on d outskirts bitting your anus come bawi and voice your opinion and you will know what time it is.
Are you people real wanting the PM to go to Salisbury under these barrage of bottles and stones did Obama went to Baltimore or Furgusson? there are lots of people that don’t like the PM who knows bottles and stones has no eyes. They were told two months ago that Salisbury was priority but they wanted something sensational so they have something to yap about for the next three weeks. NOT POLITICAL? PULL THE OTHER LEG
the people of Maltimore and Fergusson DID NOT ASK FOR OBAMA….. idiot
They have sense i guess, the way the people of Salisbury protested made no sense what so ever. How can you block the road with objects that cannot be easily removed? We in Dominica where we don’t have the means like the Americas and Englands etc so why would you play with people lives? God forbid an ambulance had to get through with a near death child, what would have happened then? Who would have been responsible for that person untimely death? I don’t mind a peaceful protest but this avenue was not the best one. The people of this community needs to wake up and choose better leaders. Hector is not a leader he needs to grow up. Anyone that thinks Dominica is not better off today under the DLP something is wrong with them. I voted UWP for Edison James and I thank god every day because my vote did not make a difference in Portsmouth.
Its not our fault that you people are so ignorant….Election has gone around the corner an you people want Dominica to turn to america in like 5 months…Be real man…. Its not Salisbury people that suffering more in Dominica..And if all you say Dominica not good then why allu doe go for visa and leave the country to those who want to live here. I am not saying that Salisbury people should not protest, but this violent protest was uncalled for, and ignorant. Dominica not the poorest country in the world.There are countries with worse roads than what is in Salisbury so what is allu point. A bunch of stupid people just creating disturbances in the country…why allu doe ask allu parlrep to fix allu road? Not DLP that make all vote opposition huh..#smfh
the people o f the Salisbury constituency has won a major victory for democracy and Skerrit has struck a blow against democracy. one day to come you will quake when the people will finally tell you enough is enough.
I am so proud of the Salisbury people
Salisbury people should block the road again today.Let the police come and unblock it again.Get some big snakes and put in the old fridges. keep blocking until they get what they want
Now only now I realize why we are called DOMMY IN A CAN It is so sad that I have come to the conclusion that the more Dominicans are educated the more ignorant they become. Cant understand why whenever people stand up for their rights half of you all have cry them down etc. So what are you all saying right now in Dominica everything the Government do is right and we just have to accept it even if we know deep down its not right. Dominicans take a page from the Salisbury people’s page and wake up. its already to late. Put your selves in their shoes what if it was you. enough is enough. If the Government could get money to fix road going into the heights in Pointe Michel for Pinard before he was Parl rep plus put water tank for him to get DOWASCO water and doing like is for the villagers they do it then they can fix the roads for the farmers. Put allu Priority straight Mr PM
While I don’t condone violence I cannot blame the people of Salisbury for taking this action. This is not politically motivated. For so many years I am hearing the people begging the government to fix their roads and they were ignored. That is political. They made peaceful protest in Roseau and no one took them seriously. It was a big joke. They had to take some more drastic action. They are hard working Dominicans like all of us, paying their taxes. They should not be treated like they don’t matter because they don’t support the government. That is what democracy is all about. All shall eat. That is the fundamental principles on which the Labour Party was built.
I hope that this action shows to the government that they are there to represent all Dominicans not just those who voted for them and that when people are frustrated it can get real very fast. I sincerely hope urgent attention is given to the roads in question. It is long overdue.
you people don’t leave in Salisbury. your village is well taken care of by the PM, so please shut up and allow the Salisbury people to make their voice be heard via any means necessary. The PM’s job is to provide good roads to all of Dominica that includes Salisbury. PM need to stop behaving like the Salisbury people are his enemy and behave like a manure leader. DO YOUR JOB SKERRIT THATS WHY YOU WENT UP FOR ELECTION. WE DONT WANT PROMISES WE WANT ACTION.
You block the main highway and so you put all Dominicans in it. So how can you ask Dominicans to shut up Sandra. We understand you have issues but you’ve made it our issue, when we cannot go to work, our students can not get to school, we cannot keep our doctors appointments or conduct other business. That is not the way to get sympathy or support from the rest of the country by asking us to shut up when you deliberately affected us by your actions. And the Police you were abusing and who showed great restraint and tolerance? They are our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends so yes Sandra, you’ve made it our business. So please do not ask us to shut up.
What crap by Hillary, not political give me a break smh
my take on things. the protest was uncalled for at the moment. the people could have waited for some more months to see the progress of the PM’s visit 2 months ago. I t was political and not because of the protest the road will be fixed but it’s because plans were already on the way!
Way to go Skerro!!!
Damn ignorant I not giving you 2 months for you to sing another song.
Skerrit put tear gas on elderly people while he hiding in the financial center
While he saying in press Conference he will continue to take care of the elderly. what happen he thought Salisbury didnt have elderly people man. And Min of National Security praising Police for their uncalled for behaviour. Police without common sense. Who in their right sense would let off tear gas in a village on a windy day. common people and those idiotic robot police as carbon say go they go while carbon sit down in AC hiding and laughing.
I am not against protesting your frustrations need to be heard peacefully, I know for sure the government heard your frustrations something most get down this time,But to thrown rocks towards the police and set fire along the road this is not proper it will create devastation, And folks could get killed because the police could react and that will give our island a bad reppretasion. PLEASE PRO TEST PEACEFULLY NEXT TIME.
Did you mean “reputation”?
This phot reminds me of distant & not too distant periods in Caribbean History when the new colonionists the planter class/Latifundists etc replace the Europeans. There are many photos such as the one showed here. Haiti comes to mind formost from papaDoc to Baby doc. Grenada Eric Gairy, to name just two. Parra , Dr Willy , Honeychurch etc can give more ejs The pt which is so heightened is the pointing of guns by sons of farmers peasants pointing guns at their own. In this day and age any one having what it takes to be a P.M of a 6th world country would have read enough history to want to regress to 200 yrs b4 his or her birth. But when you have a 70 something yr birth P.M who in addition slipped through the cracks and became P.M with the support of opportunists with human faces what are we to expect? Dumb leaders ,dumb population with flip flopping wanna politicians the kingdom goes to waste. The new colonizers are already here. only God /Marx, Engel knows where are going.
But we are going cameme full speed a head & we have no brakes. The brakes we use to have is now a priest and the preist is now a politician /lawyer the drown one lol That give us an idea how scrwed up this country has become. LMAO & real loud.
Mouche Miel… I love this commentary and wish I knew you.
Hilary Shillingford, 100% support for people who stole your barbeque grill to block a public road, are you sure you were not the one to place it on the road
I think is so very sad that this situation has arisen in the first place. I have been up in the heights of Salisbury and the state of their roads to get to their farms is totally terrifying and I would not drive that road if you paid me. Talk costs nothing. For the Salisbury people to be so terribly upset that they took action speaks volumes. I am so glad that nobody got really badly hurt yesterday. I have listened to the PM on the radio and was very surprised as he spoke without passion or conviction in a totally monotone voice like a robot. There was no compassion, no I am so sad that this has happened, I have to say I feel sorry for the PM. I think he has to wake up and smell the coffee, the people in Salisbury are not happy. PM just go visit the people in Salisbury, surprise them and help them get their road fixed, please! We want peace and happiness in Dominica
You will not get in power by any means necessary. Linton you will never occupy the Big House. The people of Salisbury have the right to protest, but planned by the Salisbury Rep, and a few other opposition leaders, what does this say? WHO FOOL YOU! What was done was not protest, but lawlessness and people should pay and be held accountable for their behavior. Throwing trees on the road, old vehicles, old stoves, throwing rocks at law enforcement officers, refrigerators, and impeding traffic where is the protest? This is truly barbaric act!
@ What why are some of all you Dumbinicans so ignorant. You are not talking about the police using tear gas rubber bullets and the like on people all you concern about is the stone throwing. The police started their battle. Damn set of bias people.
Elections were on the 8th of December 2014!! That to show you how you people dont move on. How can people making a stand for their personal levity by Political…. YOU are a FOOL. You should be ashamed of yourself. and i really do hope that you have nothing to protest about in your entire life, cause what goes around comes around.
Those policemen not hot in that clothes.It so hot. they might tufae in those
What I seeing there nuh? We in Cuba/China/Venezuela? So we cannot protest peacefully? Police facing people with guns? Look business wi.Good for those that voted LABOR.Soon we won’t be able to protest. Lennox what is your rap on that
I agree with Mr. Shillingford, what was the problem to meet the people of Salisbury for an hour. A similar protest took place at Layou and Government met the protesters in Layou. The constituency supported the DLP during the general elections, therefore, government found time to meet the people of Layou. The people of Salisbury did not support the DLP during the general elections, therefore, government refused to meet them in Salisbury. Skeritt is calling the protest in Salisbury politically motivated, then we must ask him who is playing politics.
There is no need for the police to use their weapons on demonstrators who are not armed as they are..
why should the gov’t wait so long to make major repairs on roads including roads leading to farms.?..remember that the farm roads are also important as the public roads because the farmers are in need of good roads in order to gain a living…the bad roads destroy the vehicles ,you take a long time to walk on such bad roads to and from the farm or gardens which makes farmers suffer a great lose every day,,,hope this demonstration will awake the conscience of the gov’t in order to get these roads fixed..
Is this over? Salsbury people we are waiting for round two. Don’t be intimidated.
This is what democracy looks like in Dominica.
Police men,a word of caution to you, never allow anyone to stand at your back or your side. A picture tells a thousand words.
What I gathered from the incident yesterday was that the “Police” I mean those with bad intentions (l) And ultrior political motives, they want to use their guns to show they have power. What the Salisbury people have showed us is that 25 police men with machine or sub machine guns cannot disperse a village if they don’t want too…. meaning if they are united ,and that was a good example. Their approach was totally wrong. I think, the hierarchy of the police must give a little more autonomy to ASP Weekes. Although I think sometimes he tries to put a spin on things but most times its when the system is falling short and he does not want to expose IT to openly or publicly. I wish Mr. Weekes was the Chief of Police. One thing is certain. Everybody will learn from that experience!!!
You right to talk all your crap now because if the Police had acted differently you and your LEADER would say Skerrit send Police to kill you all at a peaceful demonstration. Thumbs up to the Police. Those who fight and run away lives to fight another day. Enjoy that present that you are still life to come and talk your crap.
Were you there to see the tear gas falling right in the center of people. How did the police run away. It seems like what you wanted was for them to use live bullets. I don’t think you want to go down that road. Think twice