THIS DAY IN OUR PAST: May 29, 1979

Scene of mass protest in Roseau on May 29, 1979
Scene of mass protest in Roseau on May 29, 1979

On May 29, 1979 a huge protest against the government of Patrick John took place in Roseau. It turned deadly as members of the defense force fired into the crowd. When the smoke cleared one man was dead and 9 injured. Below is a CANA news story on the events of that day over three decades ago. It was a day that changed the political landscape in Dominica forever. 

Prime Minister Patrick John faced a major crisis tonight after a big demonstration against two controversial Bills resulted in the death of one man, injury to nine people and union demands for the Government to resign.

Five of the island’s main unions, representing some 8,000 workers vowed to strike until the Dominican Government stepped down, today soon after Defence Force members and demonstrators clashed violently outside the House of Assembly.

That clash left 23-year-old port worker, Phillip Timothy dead, felled by a bullet that went right through his lower abdomen from side to side.

Nine other people were shot and are in the Princess Margaret Hospital. Three of them, including a man and a thirteen year old school boy were categorised by hospital sources as serious.

A detachment from the eight-three strong Defence Force resorted to live bullets after blanks and tear-gas failed to completely subdue the demonstrators who hurled stones and jeered some Government Parliamentarians as they entered the Government Headquarters building to attend a session of Parliament.

The Government was reported tonight to have passed the amendment through the Industrial Relations Act and the Libel and Slander Ordinances changes which critics said would emasculate trade and unions and muzzle the press.

Debate on the Bills continued in the absence of the opposition who walked out when the Government defeated their motion for an adjournment because of the troubles outside.

Prime Minister John’s Labour Party Government holds fifteen seats in the House of Assembly.

The new Labour amendment sought to prevent strikes in the Civil Service and Essential Services such as telephones communication, water, Electricity, customs and airports. But all except electricity and water were affected today by the unions’ protest action.

Melville Hall Airport and the Seaport were closed and Cable & Wireless closed their telephone communications section three hours early.

Labour unions are also objecting to a clause providing for an arbitration tribunal. They say it is only an industrial court to which they had earlier objected in a new guise.

Opposition politicians also deemed as objectionable a new requirement that newspaper Editors disclosed the identities of anonymous writers who refrain from publishing articles critical of a person in his professional and official capacity.

The relevant clause read: “An Editor of a newspaper shall not publish in his newspaper an article which directly or indirectly offers criticism of any person in his professional or official capacity or which ascribes to any person conduct which may have the effect of lowering that person in the estimation of others unless the article carries an indication at the top therefore as to whether the article is a political or other commitment or purports to factual together with the actual name of the correspondence or writer of the article.

An estimated thirteen thousand people gathered this morning outside government headquarters in Roseau to stage their protest as Parliamentarians entered the building which houses the House of Assembly on the fifth floor.

A Government MP Culand Dubois was mobbed by the crowd who cornered him at the gates. Police came to his aid and had to repeat their rescue act for the External Affairs Minister Luke Corriette.

Just before Prime Minister Patrick John was due to make his appearance, a Defence Force detachment drew up and fired tear-gas to disburse the crowd.

Demonstrators retaliated by throwing stones, smashing the windscreens of three cars, one belonging to the defence force and another belonging to the Police ad, the third to Deputy Prime Minister Henckel Christian.

Under a hail of stones, the Defence force members opened up with blanks. Then they resorted to live bullets. People scampered and the situation was shortly afterwards brought under control.

Four people including Dominican freelance reporter Elsworth Carter were arrested and kept in custody inside the Government Headquarters for just over an hour.

Following the clash, union leaders held a massive meeting at the Goodwill Parish Hall and speaker after speaker announced strike action until the Government resigns.

The Unions’ involved were: The Waterfront and Allied Workers Union which claims to represent eight thousand workers ; The Civil Service Association , about three thousand; The Dominica Almagated Workers Union; under six thousand; and the Dominica Trade Union, one thousand workers.

The DAWU and the DTU represented workers in the country’s vital Banana Industry.

Supporters for the strike action has also come from the Dominica Farmers Union.

CANA Editors note: The May 29, 1979 demonstration and other events preceded it, led to the toppling of the Patrick John Administration less than a year after he led Dominica into Independence from Britain.

The May 29 incident led to a constitutional downfall of the Patrick John regime on Friday, June 22 1979. The general strike called by the unions’ on the island paralysed the country for nearly one month.

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.

87 Comments

  1. Ezra
    June 1, 2014

    Patrick John is still alive only because he was born in Dominica. In any other country he would either be executed or given a life sentence. To all those who have privilege to the internet just go on Amazon .com and purchase a book called the ‘Bayou of pigs’ and you will see that king Roosevelt has nothing on Patrick John. This man was the most insidious and treacherous man that have ever been born in Dominica.
    If anyone do not believe me then just purchase the book, for I guarantee you that after reading what plans this man had for Dominica you will vomit and even attempt to kill him.
    We are all lucky to be alive today because of some persistent and diligent FBI officers who stultify a vessel containing heavy ammunition and mercenaries at a port in Louisiana. The vessel was on its way to Dominica.
    Please do not give any praises to Patrick John because if his scheme had worked we would all be slaves and second class citizens to a group of racists people who hated black folks. Also, please be advised that I am not a labor supporter, but if had a choice i will pick king Roosevelt over Patrick John.

    • The Real Truths
      March 15, 2018

      Who wrote Bayou of Pigs? If it took this book which was only written recently to aggregate your notion on this event , than u are surely easily misguided and/or manipulated. The title of the book itself is an insult to all the black inhabitants of this island. There are many dimensions to this whole coup business. May 29 in itself, was a coup plain and simple. This propaganda document did not cover that, nor say who really sacrificed Phillip Timothy in a FALSE FLAG operation.

  2. missy ellot
    June 1, 2014

    Will never forget that day. I was in the Crowd and at 11 years old , i too was pelting stones at the Ministry’s building in Solidarity with the then protesters.

    It could have been me dead , by the Defence force Clan of Patrick Roland John.

    Never again should
    history so ugly , repeat itself in our Country.

  3. why
    June 1, 2014

    And what is your purpose for that story? Is it to encourage us supporters to plan another one like this?

  4. rain$ue me."
    May 31, 2014

    Every issue in Dominica is a quarrel? How is this Island to move forward, when we are constantly going back like a dog to its own vomit? Do we know the meaning of the word, “FORWARD?” Sa cres toneh…

  5. Present
    May 30, 2014

    “Just before Prime Minister Patrick John was due to make his appearance, a Defence Force detachment drew up and fired tear-gas to disburse the crowd.

    Demonstrators retaliated by throwing stones, smashing the windscreens of three cars, one belonging to the defence force and another belonging to the Police ad, the third to Deputy Prime Minister Henckel Christian.Under a hail of stones, the Defence force members opened up with blanks. Then they resorted to live bullets. People scampered and the situation was shortly afterwards brought under control.”.. I was there and the stones came after tear gas and live bullets were fired into the crowd by members of the defence force, forcing the crowd and police that were controling the crowd
    to retreat in the direction of the windsor park and the Roseau river. I got my dose of tear gas together with Mr. Joseph, deputy Commissioner of Police with whom I was speaking to at the time. It took a while for the situation to be brought under control.

  6. Barbara Saunders
    May 30, 2014

    Thanks to CANA for the article and to DNO for reminding us of the actual facts of the events of May 29. Good history lesson for the young who were not aware and the older who were aware but needed to have the facts revisited for their benefit.

  7. Negre Bod Liviere
    May 30, 2014

    Have we forgotten the “Dread” Act and orders to shoot Rastafarai on sight? Guilty without trial, Judge or Jury? How about the teargasing of protesters in the Roseau river?

  8. Negre Bod Livier
    May 30, 2014

    Have we forgotten the “Dread” Act and orders to shoot Rastafarai on sight? Guilty without trial, Judge or Jury?

  9. 100% Dominican
    May 30, 2014

    I read some of these comments and can only hang my head in shame and utter disgust and will only say at this point…Dominicans know your history….because…

    “If you don’t know (your) history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree. ”
    ― Michael Crichton

    and

    “Those who don’t know (their) history are doomed to repeat it.”
    ― Edmund Burke

  10. john paul
    May 30, 2014

    The real problem here is that we do not have a two term limit on serving as Prime Minister! After 3 or more terms in office the individual begins to think that he is entitled to this priveledged position and starts behaving like a monarch/dictator! That is what both Patrick John,Same Eugenia Charles and Roosevelt Skeritt have in common!

  11. May 30, 2014

    Hello Guys, correct me if I am misinformed. Why is Patrick John being defended and applauded?
    I recall these events vaguely because I had already imigrated to the UK the previous year.
    What I do recall back then during all the troubles was the BBC sending their Panorama team to Dominica to record details relating to allegations that Patrick John was in the process of selling Dominica to aparthied South Africa.
    I remember watching on Television the BBC reporters approching Patrick John as he was about to enter the ministerial building and being questioned about the allegations and his response being very defensive and evasive.
    Patrick John was a pariah of a prime minister for Dominica who did lasting damage to a poor island which is being felt to this very day.

  12. Papa Dom
    May 30, 2014

    It is amazing how after 35 years many people still insist on providing the youth with false information. Those persons refuse to inform the youth about the legislation passed subsequent to Pj’s overthrow, relative libel laws and union activities. They are comfortable with being told for example that “this country is to free – go to hell” they are comfortable with ministers receiving gifts from dodgy characters. They accept as ok a ministers building houses which cannot be explained by their legal income. They legitimise the braking of every law by ministers of government.

  13. John
    May 29, 2014

    The Dominica Governments of the 1960′ s made a big mistake by asking for and accepting independence from Britain. The country was much better off being semi-independent. mostly self governing under the British flag. JMHO.

  14. Histoire
    May 29, 2014

    I was 18 at the time. Man Roseau was closed down…. They were some sad days….WOW…Remember it got worse. Dominicans are cool…now. Please, no bloodshed or deaths. However, people do what they have to do…Life goes in cycles. Let’s continue to pray for peace.

  15. Not Me Alone
    May 29, 2014

    As we look back at this day in our short history, I believe the lessons we taught to politicians in 1979 should have remained and as a result, Dominica is the loser. From 1978 to today, I will say we have had good leaders who all made mistakes. However, Mr. Skerrit whom I voted for in 2000,2005, and 2009 has been by far the leader who has made the most blatant mistakes and is being celebrated and embraced by those same people that overthrew Patrick John in 1979. I am a Freedomite that voted Freedom party from 1980 to 1995 before I switched to DLP from 2000-2009, and will no doubt vote UWP come next election. I am not married to any party; My loyalty is to my country. If Skerrit was taking Dominica in the right direction., I would continue to vote him but I cannot continue to support him. When I vote UWP if they go the wrong direction, I shall vote them out and criticize them as well. Let’s put Dominica first people and protect our democracy.

  16. Not Me Alone
    May 29, 2014

    As we look back to this day in our past, I believe what we did in 1979 was the right thing to do back then but unfortunately we are sitting idly by today and allow Mr. Skerrit to get away with far worse things than what we overthrew PJ for. I thought we were going to use 1979 to remind all politicians that we the people come first, but unfortunately we have detoured. I was a 23 year old freedomite at that time, but although I joined the protest my motive was never to let politicians believe they own my loyalty. In fact as a Freedomite I also joined Rosie Douglas and laborites to protest against Ms. Charles’ attitude towards Ross University she just did not want in Portsmouth although I continued to vote DFP after that protest. Our problem is we have become much to political and not enough lovers of country. That’s the weakness Skerrit has been feeding on today until we decide to take Dominica back.

  17. silver sliver
    May 29, 2014

    Undoubtedly, Patrick John was one of Dominica’s most popular leader, who unfortunately, lost his sense of direction. He was so caught in his air of self importance, that he chose to follow the likes of Eric Gary of Grenada, Forbes Burnham of Guyana and Idi Amin of Uganda. He, out of thin air, gained high academic credentials, and along with some of his cabinet members, became high ranking military officials overnight. He had the title of: The Right Honourable Colonel Dr Roland Patrick John, PhD Metaphysics… He got himself involved in shady deals with unsavory characters such as the free-port with Don Pierson, KKK and mercenaries from South Africa. The Freedom Party capitalized on this, and used the unions to make Dominica ungovernable. I say That Eugenia Charles “used the unions” because their members were encouraged to strike for any and everything; after the change of government she emasculated muted, and castrated the unions, while some of the leaders sold out. Some of the things that previously would have resulted in strike action persisted, and in some cases got worse but the unions had no voice. Both the unions and Dominica suffered: Dominica’s economy has never fully recovered from the 48 day strike for 100% pay increase, and the union members have lost trust in their leadership, felt exploited and betrayed, and have never regained their vitality! These were interesting days which left deep scars!

    • winston warrington
      May 31, 2014

      Those are facts. Now prepare for the onslaught.

  18. RastarMarn
    May 29, 2014

    Marn hope allyou seeing who brought d protest yeh, and what was the driving force to bring the demise of the unwanted regime,,,

    It was the united front of the Trade Unions,,,

    That’s the missing element in today’s society, the backing and power of collective bargaining,,,

    • Anonymous
      May 29, 2014

      Hahaha.Do so never like so! This regime is making sure that all the institutions they used to gain power by toppling Patrick John are kept weak and divided! Charles Savarin was the head of the Civil Service Union and was demanding 100% increase in pay!As minister of labor only one % increase after much negotiation!Then he becomes President and gets 30000/ month and lives in a 27 million dollar palace and it costs thousands of dollars just in electricity to keep it air conditioned.meantime agriculture is neglected and unemployment is sky high!
      Time for change!

    • john paul
      May 29, 2014

      Hahaha.Do so never like so! This regime is making sure that all the institutions they used to gain power by toppling Patrick John are kept weak and divided! Charles Savarin was the head of the Civil Service Union and was demanding 100% increase in pay!As minister of labor only one % increase after much negotiation!Then he becomes President and gets 30000/ month and lives in a 27 million dollar palace and it costs thousands of dollars just in electricity to keep it air conditioned.meantime agriculture is neglected and unemployment is sky high!
      Time for change!

  19. Rhum Bucco
    May 29, 2014

    Lest we forget. There were and still are many distortions to the truth about May 29th 1979. The oppositon led by Eugenia Charles was against everything that Patrick John and the labour party stood for and did. They could never live with the fact that PJ was Prime Minister. so they concorted all kinds os schemes to get rid of the man. I have one question that no one want to answer. Was the bullet that killed Phillip Timothy fired by the DDF? If so where is the ballistics report? Did Eugenia Charles have a personal vendetta against Patrick John? Even when the man won the St Joseph constituency in the 1985 general elections she said loud and clear that she would not let the world hear Patrick John and moved to end all live proceedings from the House of Assembly.So much for democracy. She made it her primary objective to destroy the man politically,economically and physically. There are lessons to be learnt from this aspect of our history . Half the story has never been told. Public servants led by misguided union leaders and students who wanted more all joined the action. The result is history.

    • Anonymous
      May 29, 2014

      LOL, that’s funny

    • rosebud
      May 30, 2014

      You are talking absolute nonsense. I was in the crowd and one who almost got shot. I stood on Kennedy Avenue and witnessed the Defense Force marching towards the Government Headquarters and started hurling cylinders of tear gas even before they arrived at the Arawak Cinema. This is when the crowd started to disperse and found ways and means to defend themselves. A hole was left by the bullet that almost hit me on a house in Hillsborough street. Patrick John did not want Dominicans to congregate, to talk about the bad decisions he planned for our country. You need to read the history with BOTH your eyes and your BRAIN. Patrick John messed up himself and tried to a part of our beautiful country to his KKK friends. He got what he rightfully deserved. It was a good thing the intelligent, patriotic citizens of our country stood up to his nonsense. Remember it was not ONLY THE PUBLIC SERVANTS who stood up to him. Dominica is much better off without this man.

    • true
      May 30, 2014

      Tell us the story, seems you know a lot and not telling us.
      Where did the bullet come from, do you know someone with the ballistic report? took long to bring it up eh, was sleeping somewhere?, we would all like to know what you think happened and who shot and killed Phillip Timothy

  20. possi
    May 29, 2014

    remember that day i was at the demonstration as a 20 yr old man and yes pj deserve what he got..am still a labor supporter and all the way..if pj were to represent any area that i lived on the labor party ticket after his fall i would never vote for him..it was his foolish mistake why the freedom party got a stronghold on dominica

    • Rhum Bucco
      May 29, 2014

      I agree with you. Mr John had good intentions but was misled by some of his inner circle. Let’s take a look at some of the good things the man did (a) construction of our first stadium at Canefield. Regretably destroyed by Mary Eugenia Charles to build factory sheds for investors few of whom showed up. Hurricane David only ripped off the galvanized roof. (b) Construction of Massacre bypass. Damaged by Hurricane David , but never repaired by DFP government or succeeding governments. Result? Congestion in massacre even up to today. Deep water port at Woodbrige bay (Fond Cole) etc etc. Yes mistakes were made, but they were more afraid of Mr John after the Government put out the pre-independence manifesto detailing what could have been a ten year plan for D/ca. However they were all afraid of these words namely, LAND REFORM, MIXED ECONOMY AND NATIONAL SERVICE. They wre scared of loosing controll of their big idle estates so they had to get rid of the man. they critisized the Canefield and Pointe Michel housing schemes but could not destroy them. Let’s take some time to review where we came from, where we are and where we want to be 5,10 or even 15 years from now. lets not forget our history. Let’s inculcate it in the minds of our youth so they can make informed decisions.

      • Too Tough
        May 29, 2014

        Nonsense. I was at the demonstration. Why did he need the defense force when the Roseau police was there and had everything under control? Patrick John wanted to turn Dominica into a dictatorship so he did what all dictators do; he called on his personal security to squelch the demonstration. Papa Doc had the Ton Ton, Hitler had the SS, Sadam Hussein had the Republican Guard, the Shah of Iran had all other dictators through out history have had their forces which were designed to protect them from their own people. Why did Dominica need a defense force? Who was going to attack us? Martinque, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia? The defense force was there to protect Patrick John from Dominicans. Good thing his plans didn’t work.

      • dias
        May 30, 2014

        you all seem to forget that it is the same patrick john that is aligned with this UWP party and edison james. linton is just another of their many poppets in their never ending bid to have Dominica under their control. under skerrit the days of class rule is over and every man and woman and child are equal. I was young then but my parents have given me the history have listened intently and therefore i will never lay by and let these screwups control my country again.

      • DANZIGER
        May 30, 2014

        Remember Leo Austin the Guyanese was his legal adviceor, the Don PIERRESON story, the KKK and more. Lest we forget we would be Foreigners on our own land. You forgot when they fire the gun shoot Phillip fell down, someone in the crowd said ” oh yo fotea yon a terre” but that person was a poto PJ, she said that it was a sad day, a voice said ” madame its yr son Phillip” she screamed. Ppl fired stones on top Goodwill and the Windows of Ministry were broken down. The country plunged on strike for 47 days.

  21. LISTEN!!!!!
    May 29, 2014

    I believe with the type of men in power another one like this would be plenty bloodshed……Dominicans be guarded.

  22. Not a herd follower
    May 29, 2014

    Back then Dominicans stood up to defend democracy. What is happening now? The masses do not stand for anything, are gullible, corruptible and afraid of losing hope-for financial benefits.

  23. halibot
    May 29, 2014

    oh boy skerro. u better, better, better, be-have yourself.

    you are going down, the same slippery road and we dominicans will be good for you

    in fact you have done much worse than Mr. John. But we have become more lenient, allowing u to do so much.

    • John
      May 29, 2014

      He will do like Haiti Papa Doc first before stepping down he will declare himself King for life and move into that Chinese built palace with a heavy contingent of armed guards.

    • dias
      May 30, 2014

      skerrit is the best pm ever. and no i did not prostitute myself for money.

      • DANZIGER
        May 30, 2014

        @ dias I second that. Haters dont compare PM Skerro with PJ.

  24. Anonymous
    May 29, 2014

    I will always defend freedom of speech. When any government try to prevent the populace from speaking freely i will have a problem with that.

  25. did
    May 29, 2014

    He wa involve with the KKK and now he wants to talk against people. Saverin help to save DA from the KKK.

    • DANZIGER
      May 30, 2014

      Amen @ did, CHARLO and the others saved us eles we all would be gone

  26. Eugenia
    May 29, 2014

    Dominicans get SOFT!

    • gwaj
      May 30, 2014

      Mamo, is that you???

  27. Oh No
    May 29, 2014

    This was led by the So-Called president of Dominica Charles Saverin. This man man has had positions he has never won, but given in questionable circumstances. He now condones more questionable/alleged actions by those he presides over. birds of a feather flock together. History never lies.

    • Michael Grell
      May 29, 2014

      I believe he won the Roseau Central Seat in a past election. Peace.

    • dias
      May 30, 2014

      and u putting up with it. go to google earth 2013 and you will see labor ka twavye

  28. Anthony Ismael
    May 29, 2014

    How can I forget this day? I recall Sukie refusing to sell sugar to my mom, because she did not purchase bread from him. Customs Officers refused to clear ships that were carrying the basic staples that we all so badly needed.
    The fire at the registry destroyed so many important records, because of the ongoing strike by fire officers. The death of Phillip Timothy by God knows who. I doubt anyone has been prosecuted till this day.
    Oh, the good old days of life in the nature isle. The subsequent coups that followed in 1980 and 1981 and the Freedom Party Administration that later came into power. I remember these events like it was yesterday.

  29. yardie
    May 29, 2014

    i hope this present labour party is learning from that 1979 event pj though he was popular and couldn’t fall but you see how dog bite he and he never recover politically pm & co learn learnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

  30. looking
    May 29, 2014

    Patrick John was ahead of his time. The plans he had would have seen Dominica on par with the rest of the Caribbean today. Its sad though we as Dominican’s put Politics before God. If we were to rally and motorcade like we did in Politics, and give all the Credit to God instead of taking that credit Dominica would have rivers of Gold.

    • Too Tough
      May 29, 2014

      Patrick John was ahead of his time? Oh wait, you’re right. He would’ve been the first prime minister of two Caribbean islands. Did you know that he was working with Sydney Burnett Allen to over through the government of Barbados? Had the plan worked John would’ve been prime minister of Barbados and Dominica. Luckily, Allen was arrested in Guadalupe with a shipment of weapons.

  31. Fair & Balance
    May 29, 2014

    We should make this day, a day of National mourning in remembrance of the unfair reason for which Patrick John and his DLP administration was overthrown by Charles Savrin, who is now the president. Also, the fact that the sin which led to the overthrow of the PJ administration is no where close to the blatant sins of the DLP today, it is clear that PJ was treated very unfairly. As a result, since Savarin is the present President of Dominica, making $30K a month, under a so called DLP administration, I suggest that we name this date ‘Patrick John Day’ and pay PJ 50% of the salaries paid to Charles Savarin to date and another 50% of salaries that will be paid to Savarin in the future

    • Too Tough
      May 30, 2014

      I can’t speak on what’s going on with Charles Savarin, but Patrick John’s actions in the 70s were treasonous. Don’t take my word for it, do some research. Were you in Dominica in the 70s?

  32. hmm
    May 29, 2014

    I wonder if we could ever band together like this again in legitimate protest?

    • I wonder
      May 30, 2014

      Nah people are too selfish in this present day. An issue only becomes important when it begins to affect them personally. I wonder what has changed Dominicans who now applaud wrong and condemn right.

    • fed up
      May 30, 2014

      By right we should be able. But with that dictator gvt we have there, they will shoot us fast. All of a sudden you will see a set of army man on the street, when we self need serious help from police, they re not there… CHANGE IS A MUST !!! Wake up Dominican

  33. history
    May 29, 2014

    soon another day like this is coming #change

    • Mouche Miel
      May 29, 2014

      WE had balls then. Our efforts became futile by 1980 so most of us migrated. Now its pt less returning as it is no where close to staging another such event,
      See who is president today lol! See who is PM she who is Opposition leader. See who are our ministers today .What have we become?
      Is this a dream or what we have regressed more than 35 yrs.

  34. Fair & Balance
    May 29, 2014

    As we look back 35 years ago at the sins that the Patrick John administration was overthrown, and compare his sins to that of the current DLP regime, we must shake our heads because of the following reasons:
    > PJ’s so called corruption was NOT for his personal gain but for the profit of Dominica.
    > PJ’s name was NEVER involved in owning villas or anything of that sort.
    > PJ NEVER built mansion anywhere in Dominica.
    >PJ NEVERr made a Tax calculation error of $51 thousand dollars that his lawyer had to pay back several years later after pressure from the public
    >PJ was NEVER involved in garbage bin bobol
    >PJ was NEVER involved in fertilizer bobol
    >PJ’s name was NEVER involved with the sale of Dominica’s passports to criminals
    >PJ’s ministers were NEVER alleged or accused of encouraging our young ladies to give sex for government assistance
    >PJ NEVER had his ministers to SUE anyone for statements made against them because his ministers respected the office they represented.
    But yet PJ was overthrown!

    • Jahknow
      May 29, 2014

      Uhm does operation “red dog” mean anything to you???

      • Too Tough
        May 29, 2014

        Seems like you and I are the only ones who know of “Operation Red Dog.” I’m amazed that people who were alive in 1979 are still defending Patrick John. I was 13 years old then and I understood the crisis.

      • jack
        May 30, 2014

        I remember police officer Alexander who died as a result of operation “red dog”.

    • Negre Bod LaMer
      May 29, 2014

      Obviously, you were not around in the PJ era!

      • Fair & Balance
        May 29, 2014

        @Negre Bod LaMer, FYI,I was 23 years old and participated in the protest.

    • Rolling My Eyes
      May 29, 2014

      I’m really trying my best to see your point but I’m honestly confused as to whether you’re serious. I can see you heavily dislike the DLP but I would not put them anywhere near the level of Patrick John. Before you run off your agenda please step back and actually look at the regime/mindset of Patrick John. Apart from trying to restrict our freedom of speech he also attempted a coup of the island using white supremacist. (As to why he is allowed to hold ANY position of importance in d/a still baffles me)

      And to your last point (I don’t feel like arguing every single one of them) I completely agree in free speech and would adamantly defend our right to it but on your last point of suing for statements you must realize that there needs to be some discretion. I cannot agree with someone going on a national stage of throwing accusation of crimes as morbid as rape. NOTE I am not saying that they were true OR untrue but the fact remains that I have not yet seen evidence. And if there was an attempt to cover it up I will agree with Mr. Linton’s need for such a public display. However, as is the norm in all of these accusations (dual citizenship, bringing it voters, mansions, villas etc) they quickly lose ground at court when people realize they are baseless arguments. All these statements seek to do is rile up the public and vilify your opponent. I don’t care for this kind of politics and frankly neither should you because despite efforts from BOTH parties neither one is purely good nor purely evil. Simple saying I’m begging you to try to see that we should be attacking the ideas and not the person!

      • Anonymous
        May 30, 2014

        Are you for real? You are either too young to have lived through that period or just another one of those freedomites turned labour. “This country is too free” did you hear that statement? Did you hear a lawyer asking the police to interview an editor/owner of a news paper? As someone said PJ was ahead of his time. The opposition to the legislation was another one of the many attempts to get Pj out and it worked. I suggest that you go and do proper research before trying to talk about thing you don’t know about.

    • yardie
      May 29, 2014

      fair & balance in reply to your comment every thing you said pj didn’t do is true but what he did was worst (1) plotting to overthrow an elected government by force of arms (that is treason) (2) trying to sell part of d/a to south African gangsters to open free-port in the north of the island (3)the may 29th even declaring war on the people of d/a what can be worst than that remember i don’t give a dam bout red & blue don’t matter who’s there rasta still hav fu work hard fu mine mi seven pickney

      • Fair & Balance
        May 29, 2014

        @yardie, I was responding to “This day in our past”. I understand “This Day” to mean May 29, 1979 and on that day PJ had not plotted to overthrow anyone since he was the one overthrown. Concerning trying to sell part of DA to gangster was wrong and that’s why I joined the protest against him. However, Not knowing what is on the MOU with China to me is equivalent to PJ’s plot. My point is, based on the fact that Skerrit has done so much worse than PJ why is he allowed to remain in power for so long?

    • Anonymous
      May 29, 2014

      @ FAIR AND BALANCE: If I was a rich individual I would have shared have of my property with you. Well said is so I will end!

    • Shhhh
      May 29, 2014

      Excellent point …… so true

    • Fouchette
      May 29, 2014

      What sh^t are you talking? PG tried to give away a portion of Dominica to white supremicists in exchange for their assistance in overthrowing the Euginia Charles administration back in 1981. Out of all the attrocities commited by any political figure in Dominica, this stands out as being the worst by far.

      You talking fouchette!!!

      • Fair & Balance
        May 29, 2014

        @Fouchette, We are dealing with this day in history. On May 29,1979 PJ was the PM overthrown. So to suggest PJ tried to give a portion of Dominica to white supremicists for assistance to overthrow Ms. Charles in 1981 is false since Ms. Charles only became PM in 1980 after PJ was already overthrown. But my point is what ever PJ did was wrong and I was part of that protest. However, when I think of the many evils Skerit has been involved in and those who condemned PJ in 79 are the ones upholding Skerrit today, shows the high level of hypocrisy that exists in Dominica today

      • A Doubting Thomas
        May 30, 2014

        Was anyone promised to be Colonel for life? And what if anything the person had to promise to do in other to be made Colonel for life?

        Were any weapons seized enroute to Dominica?

        The weapons were to be used on whom? And for what reason?

        Could we be seeing something like that happening or wanting to happen in Dominica again?

        Never again!!

      • looking
        May 30, 2014

        Was it a fact or political propaganda? Have you researched?

    • Consumer
      May 29, 2014

      Just say PJ was a decent man! in your dreams. Just as PJ sought to place restrictions on an individual’s freedom of expression, and was overthrownin 1979, he sought and did plot with haters of black people “KKK” to reverse the wishes of the Dominican public to overthrowing the duly elected government of Dame Eugenia Charles. History will record he went to jail for that criminal activity. That is the legacy of the PJ you want to promote.

      • Fair & Balance
        May 29, 2014

        Consumer, we are talking about “This Day” and not 1981. The KKK you talking about is not consistent with this day because on this day 1979, PJ was the government overthrown. So let us stay focus. And yes, PJ was a decent man with a right motive but wrong means. I agree what he did was wrong, but at the same time I forgive him just as I will forgive a thief who stole to help others in need and not forgive a person who stole to enrich himself.

    • /abroad
      May 29, 2014

      I think you learned from Maya Angelo. well said. and he was LABOR AGAIN!!!!. lets see what happens to that one million they are asking for, for alledged false statements.

      • jack
        May 30, 2014

        @/abroad, just name one minister that has been concicted of rape, and then we can say “alledged false statements”. It is a false statement period.

    • Gary
      May 29, 2014

      Wow, you have just displayed how foolishness is a talent for misconception.

      • Fair & Balance
        May 29, 2014

        @Gary, you sure own foolishness. With you it’s not even a talent but your gift. You sound like that ‘Simply The Truth’ blogger who always got a very low rating.

    • Kayla
      May 30, 2014

      Fair & Balance, I think a lot of people fail to realize you were making a comparison and not actually praising PM John for his actions. Unless I am mistaken, your point was merely that Dominicans protested then to John’s less conspicuous/outrageous actions but can barely muster the courage to even utter a word against PM Skerritt. I respect your opinion. Peace.

    • JP
      May 30, 2014

      It looks like the Blue bugs are making excuses for Patrick and trying to rewrite his legacy.

    • JP
      May 30, 2014

      @Fair & Balance or should I say UWPite, you just wrote a bunch of trash.

  35. Abolo Girl
    May 29, 2014

    Ah Magua Sa!

  36. Reader
    May 29, 2014

    DNO – thank you for publishing this article as it serves as a history lesson to the younger ones and a poignant reminder to the older ones.

  37. Fair & Balance
    May 29, 2014

    Well, well, well, How Dominica has changed! Why was PJ overthrown again? Who led that protest again? Is Charles Savrin the President? I know PJ is still alive today and is seeing how unfairly and wickedly he was treated especially when he sees the biggest enemy of the labor party is some how the President of Dominica, under a labor Party administration

    • Too Tough
      May 29, 2014

      Do some research and you’ll see Patrick John for who he really is. The process will take very little effort.

    • Present
      May 30, 2014

      @Fair & Balance, Patrick was kicked out of office because he was anti- union, he was also against freedom of the press. On May 29 a bill was supposed to be passed to restrict press freedom. Parick had plans to establish Diplomatic links with racist South Africa, so keep your blinders on. Patrick should be rotting in jail.

  38. Doc. Love
    May 29, 2014

    The downfall of Mr. Patrick John, in my opinion, was planned and executed by certain members of the opposition and a certain union head because of other differences. To this day, Mr. John has never submitted a letter of resignation. A reminder to the young people who have heard about the stone brigade as described by a lawyer was formed during the insurrection.

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