Heavy police presence around Parliament

The police were out around the parliament building in their numbers on Monday morning in preparation for a sitting of the house and a planned public meeting by the Opposition United Workers Party.

The entrance to High Street and the section of Victoria Street from DBS Radio to Fort Young Hotel were all blocked to vehicular traffic.

Persons attempting to enter those areas had to seek permission from the police.

The presence of the police, some dressed in military fatigue, and the barricades caused a huge traffic snarl for commuters coming from the south of the island.

The Parliament will be meeting this morning to finalize  the process for the election of a new president. The new president is expected to be sworn in this afternoon.

The UWP has deemed the process leading to the election unconstitutional and will be holding a public meeting, near the parliament, to register their disapproval.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.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.

37 Comments

  1. Malgraysa
    September 18, 2012

    What these politicians afraid of if they they are so well loved and law abiding?

  2. Anonymous
    September 17, 2012

    :-| soo true

  3. legit
    September 17, 2012

    Somebody please answer this..what is the worst case scenario of not having a head of state for 16 days?

  4. vanessa
    September 17, 2012

    I think they should change the law of how gouvernment chose the president and let we as citizen vote like all other country for president,right now I seeing Dominica becoming like those communist country .Sorry uwp because I feel your pain

  5. snow princess
    September 17, 2012

    my god i love to see those SSU men in that camo gear makes me hot, i just had to go look for that, where can i get one, and do anyone know if any dem single…… :-D

    • trolol
      September 17, 2012

      Empty head, smh.

    • Looking in
      September 17, 2012

      Christmas coming for you early papa…you even playing santa clause…ho ho ho.

  6. Hungry
    September 17, 2012

    Police look well laid back. Protect and serve the people officers!

  7. tie toe
    September 17, 2012

    ay i see my friend massicot(police) in the croud .keep the peace bro

  8. ALEXANDER FAMILY
    September 17, 2012

    To much complain u trouble makers u all live in the middlle east nation

    • DANZIGER
      September 17, 2012

      Amen ALEXANDER FAMILY they are in the middle east.

  9. ..................
    September 17, 2012

    Poor us in this poor country! A people get what it deserve.

  10. Anonymous
    September 17, 2012

    lazy people with nothing to do

    • my 2 cents.
      September 17, 2012

      my point exactly.wait…isnt that two of the women who always standing in the vicinity of st martin school pounding beff?(in first pic)tsk.DNO employ them nah.

  11. September 17, 2012

    all i have to say nice pic.

  12. trute
    September 17, 2012

    Security, like a virgin, tight! Yessah

  13. domnichen
    September 17, 2012

    leave skeritt run his race the time will come when he will not reach the finish line.

    • BAD MIND
      September 17, 2012

      Mf friend is not skeritt that runing things i need dominicans to know its the old freedom rights that are in the RED that runing thins in dominica take are good look you will find all of them this ar ethe ones that was in D/F/P thats are back in RED thay see dom.in.cans are all about RED so thay put there RED. but hear that you can have on RED but there minds and there works are in green dominicans that love the RED think this things are for life time but its just for are time the same ones that think what this people are dont are good are the same ones going to run and ask GOD to help them lol lord help dominica its are one part state

  14. Elsa
    September 17, 2012

    What exactly about the process leading to the election was unconstitutional? Let me get this straight ..does that mean UWP is in agreement that the voting going in today is within the constitution?? Maybe they should be specific about what exactly is not constitutional. Just a thought.

  15. Anonymous
    September 17, 2012

    good move shut them out

  16. Observer
    September 17, 2012

    There wss a demonstration or Public meeting in Roseau earlier today. The meting was promoted for days on end. If what that turned up in Roseau today is “the people” according to UWP, then there is every reason why the people of Dominicxa ought not to take the UWP seriously. Mr. James, led by his not so new strategist from Morne Daniel must be hopping mad. the turn out was a disgrace to say the least. I am sure they are going to blame Skerit for their supporters not turning up for the show.

    The House met and a new President was elected. A difference in opinion was and is not enough reason to stop a government from acting. If the court had declared that the government’s interpretation of that section of the constitution was infact wrong, then the UWP and Lennox Linotn would have had a case. Government would be in contempt of the court. But rather than go for a judicial review of the interpreation, the UWP took to the airvwaves and advanced political arguments for a purely legal amtter. That is why the UWP has lost almost all of their cases brought against government and the Speaker. Their arguments are purely political and in large measure are devoid of legal backing.

    They have held on their partisan opinion and expected government to see the issue their way totally ignoring the fact that the governmenmt also sought and got legal advice for the same matter. Mr. Brian Alleyne, former Chief Justice of the OECs Court system gave his opinion on the matter. For what it is worth, it cannot be that because Mr. Alleyne gave an opinion, itis the law. Mr. Alleyne’s opinion must be seen in the context of downright disregard for the gopvernment of PM Skerrit. He has not advanced any view or any opinion that was endearing to PM Skerrit. A chief Justice’s opinion on any matter is not always law. See what happendd in th erecent Appeals Court case – Mervin Williaqms vs National bank. On a panle of three judges, the then Chief Justice (supervisor of the other two judges)ruled in favor of Mervin Williams. His two subordinates disagreed and ruled in favor of the National Bank. The former Chief Justice form Belfast has constantly read from the same hymn book as UWP strategist and unlearned lawyer, lennox Linton.

    So in this matter at hand. Who is right? Is it Lennox Linton (with no training in law and interpretation of law) or the government’s legal department made up of trained and experienced lawyer?

    • Choice X
      September 18, 2012

      A few points:

      When things go wrong and people don’t turn up because they are afraid, bribed, naive, etc, you can’t blame eddo and uwp. Adolph hitler had millions of enduring fans and supporters did that justify his cause? In the end is not the few objectors that will suffer but the entire nation. This obtuse mindset you espouse speaks volumes to the calous disregard you project to the destiny of your ofspring.

      It your essay you stated the the gender of the one dissenting Judge as male. The chief justice of the OECS is a female, so you will have to verify your propaganda.

      The constitution was design for the interpretation and benefit of the common man and not as a legal golf club for avaricious barristers. Thus Mr Linton have a right to read and discern the constitution.

  17. September 17, 2012

    We are a Democracy so why do we have Police on the street in military uniform. This is not conducive to being a free society and this indicates that the military is taking sides in our politics. The Police Department has their regular uniform so they should only wear that uniform. This is not a state of emergency.

    DNO what happen to Top Stories.

  18. so sad
    September 17, 2012

    it is so sad to what a country that was so on top come down to nothing smh so sad

  19. 4progress
    September 17, 2012

    It is really a SHAME to see that people in such powerful positions, some elected and others who are suppose to be educated, who should lead by example have brought us to this crisis. What is the purpose of all of this.

    WHAT EXAMPLE ARE WE DEMONSTRATING TO THE YOUNG. We are told we must follow the law. The constitution may not be perfect, but there is a reason for its construction and existence which we all need to adhere to. The President, PM et al can not and should not pick and choose which part of the constitution they want to follow.

    The opposition for their part should refer this case to the courts, if the case can not be resolve professionally, respectfully and CONSTITUTIONALLY.

    We must not let the PM have his way, otherwise we can kiss democracy goodbye.

    Mr PM please do not let the 18-3 majority turn you into an arrogant and disrespectful person. Show the country how things should be done properly….transparency is the key….try to reach that higher standard for us to follow. Currently your actions are somewhat dubious, lacking style and suspicious.

    If the shoe was on the other foot the PM and his party would be doing the same as the opposition, which I would still support.

  20. Anonymous
    September 17, 2012

    All i can do is shake my head at this country and this government.

  21. No Name No Warrant
    September 17, 2012

    Where is the heavy presence…lol

    • me1
      September 17, 2012

      @ NO NAME…..i was wondering the same thing :), well Dominica standard it is heavy police presence……lol

  22. I'mWondering
    September 17, 2012

    by the article title I really expected to see a “parchay’ police…

    Lord – the propaganda you guys spread….

    that just seems like an average day with police lounging about.

    It’s better to be prepared and this police presence lives nothing to be frightened or scared about

  23. jojo
    September 17, 2012

    Ploice in Force ? 7 policemen.

  24. Fact
    September 17, 2012

    The Police know better not to interfere with public demonstrations as a gesture of the right to assemble and free speech. Remember what happened to the Dominica Defense Force when they fired at the crowd in 1979? (They are no longer in existence).

  25. T
    September 17, 2012

    what have we come too? Task force, SSU, General etc of the CDPF are blocking us from showing our dissatisfaction? Thats not RIGHT! I have no problem with security, my problem is how its being executed.

  26. anonymous2
    September 17, 2012

    More govt. mess. At least there is one faction standing up against the regime.
    When they block the people out……that tells you something.

    • DD
      September 17, 2012

      stop being ignorant. I live in Barbados, and every time Parliament meets the area is sealed off with the presence of police. That’s how it is supposed to be. In Dominica we just like to run our mouths about things we know not.

  27. Sweet Carib
    September 17, 2012

    Boy this is some bull!!!! Wtf is really goin on in dominica?????
    I promise myself tht I won’t ever vote for no politician again and I’m only 22yrs old

  28. On the Fence
    September 17, 2012

    I hope no violence or anything of the sort transpires. Me self I’ll DCH(Duck, cover and hold)

  29. AWA NUH
    September 17, 2012

    dno u quick to post that pic but we waiting for pic of uwp meeting in lagon

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