CCM ‘happy’ over turnout for protest outside parliament; says more to come

A protester holds a placard outside Parliament on Thursday

President of the Concern Citizens Movement (CCM), Loftus Durand, has said he is very happy over the turnout for protest action outside of Parliament on Thursday and said more are being planned to call for the resignation of Gerard Burton as Chairman of the Electoral Commission.

The organization called the protest mainly over proposed amendments to the House of Assembly (Elections) Act and the Registration of Electors Act. Although the amendments were not taken to parliament, the CCM still went ahead with the protest.

“In terms of me being satisfied or not, I must say there is always room for improvement in terms of numbers for that protest but from where the movement is concerned, we are very happy over the turnout yesterday,” he said.

Durand said the protest created an impact in terms of the people being present in the flesh outside of Parliament to highlight issues that are happening in Dominica as it pertains to the governance of the country, “especially where our electoral system is concerned.”

“The message was sent loud and clear yesterday by the protestors in a very peaceful way,” he said.

Durand noted that persons turned out in large numbers with their placard, sang songs and voiced their concerns.

“The Parliamentarians who were there, the Government of the day did get the message that certain things will not be tolerated as it pertains to our democracy in Dominica,” he remarked.

Durand continued, “There was the strengthening of that message in that there was a walk around town with the protestors and a lot of onlookers and that created an even greater impact in and around the city.”

Meantime, Durand revealed that the CCM plans to demonstrate against the Electoral Commissioner, Gerard Burton for the manner in which the CCM says he is handling the country’s electoral matters.

“We are a patriotic group always seeking to address any injustice in Dominica and so what we have decided apart from going and stand outside Parliament for our rights, we had on the cards that we will be demonstrating against the Electoral Commission at their office in Turkey Lane, Roseau,” he revealed. “Very soon from now, we will be outside the electoral office demanding that Mr. Gerard Burton resigns and our electoral business continues in the benefit of all Dominicans in a very fair and free way.”

He added, “We got the nod from the people yesterday and so we will be protesting against the manner in which, especially the Chairman, has been handling our electoral matters in Dominica.”

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19 Comments

  1. Dominca Massive
    September 23, 2018

    I thought it was Concern Citizen Movement and not UWP involvement. Please help me to put the puzzle together

  2. viewsexpressed
    September 23, 2018

    UWP and patriots, well done. Where more that three are gathered we have a crowd who ultimately will spread the message. The focus is the quality of the campaign and it purpose and these Labour-rongs is to attempt to kill the positive words and campaign of the UWP and its positive decent team. There is nothing good of Skerrit and their corrupt labour that they can promote because this government is corrupt to the core, with the on going of the Bin Bobol, Fertilizer Bobol. Therefore the message is a profound one, Team UWP is a threat to the these blind labourites and Hon Lennox Linton is the threat to Skerrit who the latter just cannot match the intellectual, decency and honesty of Hon Linton. A champion and decent man to lead us into the socio-economic development of Domininca.
    Welcome UWP.
    Labourites, get out of Skerrit and his corrupt Labour Party. This current Labour Party are dangerous, hopless, lacks leadership, are not focus on our Develpoment, they have destroyed Domininca.

  3. Man bites dogs
    September 22, 2018

    Maybe I am missing the point of that protest outside the parliament and what will be gained from that nonsense.The only thing i can think of is small island small brains to workers supporters.

    • viewsexpressed
      September 23, 2018

      You keep biting dogs and barking rubbish to suit and accommodate your corrupt inept Labour Government, but that is not going to work. Too much Bin Bobol and fertiliser Bobol surrounds this corrupt labour government and its so called odd ministers. You commenting on this protest on DNO has gained increased publicity with people now asking how it went and saw its value. Stop barking rubbish and stay away from the dogs because they cant talk “bark” to you. The protest is all over social media, so we have done well. That is what bothers you. UWP will be the next government and Labour Corrupt government will be accounting through thte courts where has all th states funds go to. CBI etc we need to know. Our people have been in dep poverty for too long.

  4. Teacher
    September 22, 2018

    I’m sure that should read ‘concerned citizens moement’ It doesn’t make sense otherwise…

  5. %
    September 21, 2018

    I too believe that Gerald Burton has let down Dominica,and if the protest is called tonight ,I am ready.This man is a total an absolute failure, and those of us who want free and fair election,must let him know that.
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      September 22, 2018

      Here you go again %; The thing on you! You like a crazy cow or fowl.
      Skerrit must go on to keep useless lazy TRAITORS and LIARS like you out of government.
      All you ALL do is go on Q95 and LIE to people…. TRAITOR!
      Where were YOU and LENNOX and THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE UWP after MARIA? What have you ALL done to help in the reconstruction of the country?..(UWP).. Useless Wicked People as YOU ALL are… TRAITORS.

  6. Pioneer
    September 21, 2018

    While I commend CCM’s effort at trying to bring about democracy in Dominica, take a picture of Dominicans on carnival Tuesday and compare the crowd size to that of the protest actions and you will see where Dominicans’ priorities lie. I stop cry for the people quite a while now.
    It always comes down to the people…

    • Paul Rossnof
      September 22, 2018

      I’m sad to say this but I have to agree with you. A people that has put up with corruption and fiscal incompetence for so long do not really deserve any better

      • Ou fou compere
        September 23, 2018

        Paul Rossnof since you have ur Visa U chatting a lot of Phat.

      • Paul Rossnof
        September 25, 2018

        Oh fou compere, I have a EU passport and as such do not need any visa. I can travel to virtually any country in this world visa free. You see that’s the difference between you and me I have one proper passport and one Mickey mouse passport, you only have a Mickey mouse passport.

    • Pondering
      September 22, 2018

      I wonder if you realise that most of dominicans working population was at work. What do uyou want them to do?

      • RandyX
        September 22, 2018

        Most of Dominicans working?? How do you work this one out? The rate of unemployment in Dominica is close to 40%.

  7. waypapa
    September 21, 2018

    Happy over turnout? All that lavway on facebook and that was it? No wonder Shirley Allan gone MIA since after the protest, her heart must be breaking after all her efforts. Shirley was really looking forward to see a real protest. All you Dominicans not easy nor, social media heroes.

  8. Rumba
    September 21, 2018

    you all need to review your placard design. Something less long-winded that people can actually read and may even remember. But it is refreshing to see a demonstration for sure. There is not enough of this kind of thing here.

  9. %
    September 21, 2018

    Well it is pellucidly clear that the people are seeing through the trickery, chicanery and deception of what is arguably the worst,most corrupt,incompetent and wicked regime that has ever ruled over this land of Dominica. I too was overly pleased with the turnout,and that’s a great sign!!!!!…
    Who can trust this DLP regime to do the right thing?.A Mission to register,confirm or reconfirm voters abroad will be polluted by Skerrit’s zealots and have him stare at a huge sdvantage. What of note is Vince Henderson,Mervin Paul or Lorraine Bannis are doing for Dominica abroad? Could it be constant recruitment of illegal voters to contaminate our voting process,and to keep lazy,dunce,inarticulate,incompetent Skerrit in power?
    I wonder why Skerrit is so scared of losing power?????
    We shall know soon when he is ungracefully kicked out by the electorate..Good job CCM..
    Skerrit Must Go
    Skerrit Must Go
    Lazy dunce Skerrit Must Go Now

    • September 21, 2018

      Ha Ha Ha, it seems that the people have seen through the deception, trickery and lies of the UWP and are staying as far away from them as possible.

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      September 21, 2018

      %, You must toofay before the next election. You are sick and need immediate medical attention.
      You are suffering from SKERROTICIST and Lennox cannot help you .. Which electorates you talking about? The little hand full of blind mice that follows your leader? How can the minority kick out the majority? You shall know soon who wil be kicked out and go. Hope you have enough pampers stock up for when you get the result. Because THIS IS IT for the UWP.
      Yes Skerrit must go on to keep you lazy liar TRAITORS out from coming into government.
      All you ALL do is go on Q95 lie to people… TRAITOR!

  10. viewsexpressed
    September 21, 2018

    Good initiative. It is our democratic rights to protest, strike and ignore any corrupt government on matters of decency in politics. I applaud this move by the “Concern Citizens Movement (CCM)”, to have this decent protest and raise awareness of all Dominicans of the poor governance of our country.
    Skerrit ust Go
    Corrupt labour Government must go

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