Astaphan says CCM protest calculated to destabilize government

Senior Counsel, Tony Astaphan, has said the recent protest action organized by the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) was a “calulated attempt” to destabilize the government.

The CCM large number of Dominicans, in response to a call from the CCM, gathered next to McMillans gas station in Roseau, in the vicinity of the Electoral Office, on Saturday December the 15th to press their demands for electoral reform  to the Electoral Commission.

However, Astaphan who was speaking during an interview on State-Owned Radio DBS, said there was nothing peaceful about the protest.

“This is a calculated attempt to destabilize the state when the state is well on its way to doing what we should be doing to rebuild Dominica,” he said.

Astaphan continued, “There was nothing peaceful about it. It is an attempt by Mr. Durand [Loftus Durand President of the CCM] and others, to incite violence this Christmas time when we are supposed to be celebrating the birth of Christ. These guys want to resurrect the idea of violence.”

Astaphan explained that one needs permission for any form of interference, disturbance, blocking of the roads, public roads and interfering with public traffic.

“Even if you don’t need permission to have a demonstration on a sidewalk or on private property, once you are on public road, you are obliged by law to follow the lawful authority or the lawful orders of the police which is to disburse; do not congregate on the road; do not block the road, do not interfere with traffic,” he remarked.

He added, “And as we saw on Saturday, you are not allowed to tell people to block the road with their cars.”

Meanwhile, in a statement received earlier today, Chief of Police, Daniel Carbon said no permission was granted to the CCM to stage protests on Saturday and Monday.

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30 Comments

  1. REAL
    December 19, 2018

    what is calculated is everytime the man from The Valley walks up your steps.

  2. don2fresh
    December 19, 2018

    Ummm.. Tony, that is the very purpose of a protest. How it works is your protest to.
    1. Expect certain responses from the government and turn around and call the government hostile; make reference to #2.
    2. Encourage certain perceptions of the government.
    3. Protest and uprising cause fear and disharmony which draws back to number 2.
    4. Political stability often speaks to management by government if there is instability speak to 1, 2 and 3.
    Their approach is calculated. Which is why they will not contribute to development and only contribute to ensuring a hostile environment. The government will be out if people regard the place as being unstable. The only thing is Dominicans don’t want to hear somebody tell them what they have isn’t good, they want someone to show them they can be better and UWP definitely isn’t it. To those that coming under my comment, show me how they are better, how have they proven it?

    • viewsexpressed
      December 19, 2018

      Your response and analysis is flawed, beyond the concept of common sense and analysis Either you are blind observer or a bind loyalist of Skerrit and his failed about Government We all have that right of protests and hold our government to account fr our resources, or tax money nd the expected decency in government. This corrupt Skerrit Labour government has stained our island Domininca and have its people all over the world worried and shamed of the behaviour of this immature, inexperienced little boy that was placed in office after our decent Pierre Charles passed away. Hon Charles must be turning in his grave. The level of poor governance and development in Domininca is a shame after 18 long wasted years of this wicked, corrupt Labour Government. We in government will not, never vote this PM Skerrit again and his immature hopeless blind 18 ministers who continue to ruin and belittle in same our Isle of beauty.
      Skerrit, & his failed corrupt Labour government must Go. Sick of this…

      • don2fresh
        December 20, 2018

        Not blind, I am just very much aware of the motives of the opposition party. Let me say that of course, everyone has their right to protest, however when the people protesting or those who incite protest and violence are those who do not put their foot on the ground to do something proactive and positive, then their motives for this come into question. My question to you is if the opposition is doing this “for the development of the country”, what else has the opposition done besides call meetings, protest, and rallies to criticize the government? I’ll wait. If you all want labour to go, show the people you all are worth being in office. In the meanwhile, labour will stay because the only thing the opposition is good for is organization protest and seeking help to remove labour out.

      • RandyX
        December 20, 2018

        Don, I wonder if you are equally aware of the motives of Skerrit and Co. Equally let me ask you some questions, what has Skerrit done for this country in all his time in power?? Don’t tell me now about west coast road and road from Canefield to Marigot both of which are already falling apart. Let me tell you what your chum has done: start a Moroccan hotel-did not finish it, constructed a coffee factory-let the rats take it over, constructed an abattoir with no road leading to it-closed it before it started operating properly and is now deteriorating wasted millions on Geothermal and then abandoned it. If that was not bad enough, there are still the unexplained phenomena of missing millions from PetroCaribe, huge amount of questions regarding the CBI and its accounts, the Ross University affair, and so on and so on. WHY WOULD YOU DEFEND A PM LIKE THAT???

      • don2fresh
        December 20, 2018

        Let me tell you what MY CHUM have done. Fix and build schools (state college, DGS, Grandbay, Portsmouth, Newtown), Build homes, Chances, Yes We Care, NEP, Scholarships, Eye programme, Funded small businesses, bring water and proper sewage to certain homes and communities, housing initiatives, and MANY ROADS included the one between Soufriere and Scottshead, bridges, funding for low-interest education agriculture and housing loans, you want me to name more? Quit kidding yourself. You all choose to acknowledge what the current government has been doing. Lennox, DLP has done ALOT more on both a macro and micro level, not all may have been how it could, more is to be done, but that is how things work, the more you do, development is never a one time deal, it is continuous. Again DLP is nowhere near perfect, but I CAN NEVER SUPPORT UWP because they are NOT CLOSE TO BEING BEING BETTER!!!!!

      • RandyX
        December 21, 2018

        Is that the best you can come up with Dony boy?? You are clutching on straws. Why don’t you answer my questions? I guess you just don’t have any answers. You just can’t keep on defending the indefensible. You gonna get found out at some stage the same way your PM got found out. The answers you gave would impress a Labour supporter but it just doesn’t cut it with any clear thinking people that are capable of feeding, dressing and housing themselves! Come again.

      • Don2fresh
        December 24, 2018

        Don’t play delusional Randy. I like that Dony Boy name btw. That can be your pet name for me from now on :lol: :lol:. Anyways you asked me a question and I responded. What more do you want me to answer? The allegations that Lennox has brought up? Give me the hardcore evidence and of course, I’ll answer to you I’ll even agree, but in the meantime, it’s just Lennox and the UWP making speculations with no concrete evidence other than their will to see Skerrit go. The things you all rolls eyes at Skerrit for doing I see you all and people praise other leaders for. Skerrit is like the lover you all couldn’t have. If I can’t have you, NO ONE WILL. Anyway, it’s Christmas, you have any ideas on how I can give back to my community for Christmas in any small way. Thinking of a movie night with fruit cake and peanut punch, you’re invited. Merry Christmas to you Randypooks. From your Dony Boy :lol: :lol:

  3. Watchdog
    December 19, 2018

    Astaphan? Senior Counsel? From what hole have you emerged now? Did they fire you from whatever and whereever you have been? Please disappear again!

  4. Anonymous
    December 19, 2018

    Oh irony upon irony. I would say the government is well on its way to destabilise itself without the help of Loftus. All that man wants is free and fair elections. Are we not supposed to be a democracy?

  5. RandyX
    December 19, 2018

    Astaphan, if I was you I would be very careful what I would say. Skerrit is not going to stay in power for much longer. That means that you and your tribe will find themselves on the wrong side of things. In particular for you that is not the place to be because a new government will most certainly investigate the the inner circle of the Skerrit regime. If you are found guilty and unless you go and hide in Cuba, Soviet Union, China, Venezuela or their likes I’m sure you are clever enough to realise that you have a problem. This, by the way will be the case for all the other Skerrit henchmen being subsequently found by the court of doing crimes against the state or the citizens of DA. If I was all you, I would think twice. It’s not too late yet…

  6. Zammmmm
    December 19, 2018

    Mr Senior Counsel, fast forward, who cares about your utterances n your usual one sided old talk. You are not and will never be an elected member of Parliament so relax your head n enjoy your to rich life….. We don’t give a tambrin ball about u….traveler……

  7. December 19, 2018

    No intimidation by Skerrit goons will work

    No Dominican soldiers dressed in green will stop it

    Teargas won’t

    Picking up leaders won’t

    Electoral Reform is a Must,it’s not a favour

    The protests will only get bigger

    Those lines above are enough to show that there can be no peaceful protest among those who partake in that activity. Civil disobedience will always provoke a fight, a war, or a battle; and protestors are never intended to obey that Laws of the Land.

    Just take a look at the mentality in those lines above; where in the world would people like this go into a protest, without motivating discord and disdain?

    But those of you should be aware that it is not Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, it is not the Police, it is not Senior Council who will be in control. It will be the Supreme Leader of the World, who is always taking the reign, there is no such thing about Him losing a fight, battle, or war–you people should be afrid.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      December 19, 2018

      You that ole little (yellow sukooyant der) with your blazing buoyant eye when you flying in the night going to drink people blood!

      Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahah!

      I told you before you will fall out of the sky crash like a plane, the only difference will be flesh scatted all over the place; that will end your support of evil, supporting the axis of evil; if you believe when Roosevelt goons unleash their bullets and teargas on Dominicans, there will be a place for your family to hide; you are mistaken!

      In a riot police do not say make sure you do not shoot “Mr. and Mistress Jones and their  family.” They fire at random, that is the order their commanding officers usually give.

      Trust me, the commanding officers usually say to their subordinates: shoot at random; shoot to kill! Elizabeth if you think what you are supporting is a good thing, rest assured you will have regrets when you see the aftermath of what looks like a pending riot. 

      • December 19, 2018

        Elizabeth if you think what you are supporting is a good thing, rest assured you will have regrets when you see the aftermath of what looks like a pending riot.—- Telemaque

        While you are so sure of this vile and dark outcome; God has already planned His move. It is not me and my family who will suffer the outcome which you are predicting; it is you and those who are with you who will know the wrath of God.

        My family and the majority of Dominicans are God’s Elect and we are in His Shelter at those stormy blasts, however they come to pass–remember that I told you so

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        December 20, 2018

        Ignorant comments like that assures me you deserve to be locked away in a asylum; a mental asylum!

  8. Joseph John
    December 18, 2018

    Oh yes, on these protests we ware red. R.E.D. ( Red Electorates of Dominica). We will not challenge anyone, but we must stand up for what is right. We must not be afraid because there is more of us. We cannot be their doormat and let them walk all over us. We have to defend our rights that they are trying to take away. We do not want any government ministers or senators involve. This is party business, R. E. D. business.

  9. Joseph John
    December 18, 2018

    Tony, did you read what Alex Bruno wrote on DNO. I agree with some of what he said. He indicated that everyone has a right to protest. So you need to lead a protest for all members of the DLP to protest for the Government to protect the police when they are carrying their mandate to uphold law and order in following orders. Without the police we would become an uncivilized nation. Just think of the chaos.
    You also need to organize a protest to ensure that Dominicans living abroad are allowed to vote because of their citizens rights.
    There are multiple amount of unfair activities against labourites to be protested like why a lawyer who was arrested for chile abuse is still sitting in Parliament. Political opponents who call our women and girls “prostitute” can sit in the House and disparage the Speaker to the point that she felt unsafe and gave up her chance to be first lady President of Dominica, and in the whole Caribbean.
    Time to wake up, fight for our human…

    • viewsexpressed
      December 19, 2018

      Rubbish, absolute rubbish. This so called Tony is a waste of time looking at Domininca from a distance and is worth nothing to us in advice. He is useless, ridiculous, malicious, stupidious, and with his heinous silly advice for his inept , school bit failed Skerrit. That id all this Tiny is about. Not Domininca but Skerrit. thy are scared of Linton and unable to stop his progress and professional wprk, much less to attempt to discredit him. Hon. Linton will be the next preferred, in coming Prime Minister and Skerrit will go, he has to go, He must Go, he is a waste of time and useless to us Dominicans.
      Skerrit Must Go, This corrupt Labour Government has failed us and they must Go. Go embrace ridiculous Tony Astaphan, with his behaviour that of a Junior legal person. Tony is a waste of time., please ignore his utterances.

  10. Freddie
    December 18, 2018

    Actually it was an attempt to highlight the need for electoral reform, a subject you and the government repeatedly ignore. Wonder why.

  11. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    December 18, 2018

    “Senior Counsel, Tony Astaphan, has said the recent protest action organized by the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) was a “calulated attempt” to destabilize the government. ”

    Tony, you need to understand that the country has long been destabilized; this destabilization came at the hands of Roosevelt Skerrit who is the most corrupted Dominican ever born; and you know very well without you Roosevelt would be long rotting in Jail by now.

    Had you not won that case looking into Roosevelt true nationality, Roosevelt would be found guilty of defrauding the nation when he said his mother got him French citizenship when he was a baby!

    Question here did Roosevelt ever live in Guadeloupe as a baby?

    How can you say: ”  Citizens Movement (CCM) was a “calulated attempt” to destabilize the government. ”

    All these people have done is exercise their democratic rights guaranteed  by our instrument of independence; that wight to demonstrate is written in the constitution of the…

  12. %
    December 18, 2018

    Carbon is such an idiot…CCM has had so many protests in the past,why you never impressed upon them to have permission?
    Use your deadly force Carbon,but take care you don’t answer question at the International Criminal court at the Hague..
    You seem to be a politician… If not are you taking orders from politicians?
    Remember you are a failure .Just remember your role in the days preceeding hurricane Maria.
    Electoral Reform is our right to have, it’s not a favour!!!!
    I think the protests must continue,and get bigger.

  13. December 18, 2018

    Is this the same Tony who legitimized the “kol wosh brigade” so what are you afraid of Tony? if this were Lebanon the result would have been different. Thanks God we are a peace loving people and very tolerant at that; stop spinning top in mud bro; our President done tell us “it’s not the legality or illegality of the protest action, but rather was it successful or unsuccessful. Did you watch international news little Tony about the protest action in France; the French people would laugh at you and your Kairi FM dummies, if ever they would read your comments.

  14. viewsexpressed
    December 18, 2018

    Astaphan, you failed Clown, “Go to Hell , Go t Hell, Go to Hell, I`s none of your damn Business”. you sound like a traitor to the people of Domininca and y9 have betrayed us with your synthesis of exaggeration and ignorance. You advise your boom-boom fly little boys and suck salt that’s bitter to our people. All these association to baby sit Skerrit is fake and an abuse on this immature, young, failed Prime Minister, who appears unable to stand on his own and knows nothing of socio-economic development but talk BS and Rubbish on radio and TV and chat with heads of government who themselves have failed their own countries,. Astaphan, yo know who these clowns are and not his Failed Skerrit has joined them up as s called “Comrades. Now head this: “Astaphan explained that one needs permission for any form of interference, disturbance”. He sits where he is and lectures us BS. Astaphan, you are a waste of tie, we do not need your advice, you are only there for baby Skerrit and hurt us.

  15. Anonymous
    December 18, 2018

    Mr. Carbon, when will you get it into that hard head of yours that the citizens of Dominica do not need your permission to stage a protest. They don’t even have to tell you they are going to have one. Your first duty is to the the citizens of the country, not a particular government if it is red, green blue or any old colour.

    • December 19, 2018

      @Anonymous December 18, 2018

      So which of you can tell the police not to interfere, if there is a need to protect the citizen of Dominica, is that not what they are called to do? How would like to be someone going on your way, in your vehicle, and a group of people decides to block your route–especially with their own vehicles

      • viewsexpressed
        December 19, 2018

        Elizabeth go away, stop writing fancy baby stories. We are intelligent people not aligned to Skerrit corrupt and blind team that you`ll blind loyalists are much aware of that failed Labour govt, Skerrit and the going corruption in Domininca by your immature little boy failed Skerrit. He is now stained and you so called “friends” have helped him into the political abyss of corruption, denial of failed PM & Labour government.
        Elizabeth, this is a Good Question and I have the response for you: Your question is: ” How would like to be someone going on your way, in your vehicle, and a group of people decides to block your route especially with their vehicles” My response are in your own words.
        Here goes:” How would like to be someone going on your way, in your vehicle, and a group of corrupt failed, liars, weak corrupt Labour Party people decides to block your route–especially with their own political vehicles, immaturity, thievery bobol, no development, no employment in gov…

      • December 19, 2018

        Views express you are not making any sense with that question. which I asked., that you turned around. My question happened on Saturday, when did yours happen?

        And you call yourself INTELLIGENT?

  16. %
    December 18, 2018

    Man shut up .What about the letter sent to Skerrit telling him Electoral Reform will end his re election legacy?Can you tell Dominicans about it?
    No intimidation by Skerrit goons will work
    No Dominican soldiers dressed in green will stop it
    Teargas won’t
    Picking up leaders won’t
    Electoral Reform is a Must,it’s not a favour
    The protests will only get bigger
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now

  17. World's Moistest Jheri Curl
    December 18, 2018

    The very idea that I should strategize with the Gov’t about how best to protest it’s practices is the antithesis of a successful protest.

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