MP for Roseau South, Joshua Francis, has condemned an incident which took place during a wedding reception at the Loubiere Resource Center on Saturday evening.
He also confirmed that two men were injured in the incident and charges may soon be initiated against those involved.
“I condemn all forms of violence,” he told DNO on Monday. “It is detrimental, not only to those involved but to neighbors and residents. It is bad for the community.”
He told DNO that is own investigation shows that the incident took place between a group of young men from Loubiere and from Castle Bruce.
The exact cause of the incident is unknown but reports are that two groups began hurling stones and bottles at each other during the reception. One group retreated to the Resource Center and locked themselves inside.
However, the other group, reportedly from Loubiere and led by a young man wielding a cutlass, went to the center and began breaking down the door. The group eventually broke through the door and began hurling bottles and stones inside.
New information has also revealed that a bus carrying guests for the wedding reception was also attacked by the group from Loubiere.
Francis told DNO that he is very concerned and he is trying his best to have the matter resolved.
He said the incident is a manifestation of the many issues affecting young men, particularly unemployed young men, in Dominica.
“Our young boys are marginalized academically or otherwise,” he stated.
He added that one can notice the majority of people going to work or school in the mornings are young women.
“So something is happening to our young boys,” Francis said.
He stated that he has been trying to help young boys in his constituency to direct their energy into positive things, including the Loubiere Football League.
He said he will be contacting the authorities to assist in areas such as boat building and fishing, so that the young men can be gainfully employed.
He also stated that he is planning a series of meeting between young men in the constituency, especially those who hang out on blocks, and the police, magistrates and social workers.
However, he stressed what he described as the “collective responsibility” of members of the community to assist the young men in the community.
“Trust them,” Francis noted. “If you have a yard to clean, give them the job and let them clean it. We must have a collective responsibility to help our young men.”
Francis also said that the police are actively investigating the matter.
He said charges such as battery, wounding, malicious damage, assault, and breach of peace may be instituted against those involved in the incident.
Meanwhile, there has been no official report from the police on the incident.
This is a universal situation. What type of hearts/minds and society do we have?
Some people like to blame others for their failings. Others make excuses for the failings/ crimes of others.
Stated by Saint Pope John Paul II: “As the family goes, so does society, the whole nation and the world. Disorder in the world is disorder in the family.”
Revert to the root of the problem. We should note what is occurring in the world, in Dominica for that matter, among disorderly people and crimes committed also by youths and realize where they commenced, how and why. This includes immoralities and legalized ones which I need not elaborate on.
Parents are the prime educators of their children. Some children did well as adults; others not. Should the latter blame the government for their failings and being unable to obtain employment? Those who do should have a discussion with these young and old criminals. Those who blame the government tell a blatant lie.
To begin with,the troublemakers are to be blamed.
They hear/read about the criticisms of the government which cause them to act in this manner.
They also know if caught, they will be bailed and probably acquitted.
They have no sense of responsibility. Their actions should not be attributed to unemployment.
How old are they? If not now, when they grow older and have children, what type of parents will they make?
Every child is given an opportunity to attend school. Did they attend school and graduate? If they did not and are unable to obtain employment, the government cannot be blamed. Too often the blame is placed on the government. It is ridiculous to do so. Place the blame where it belongs.
I have previously stated, get to the root of their problem. Something has caused them to act in this disorderly manner which has nothing to do with being unemployed.
I read the story that Mr. Francis gave about the incident but I think im kind of disappointed with a sentence in the story. He said ( quote) the incident is a manifestation of the many issues affecting young men particularly young men in Dominica. (end quote). In my opinion Mr Francis should not give justification for any kind of behavior of that nature. so what he is saying because young men are unemployed they should just go and disrupt functions in that way? The story said that it was a contention between two groups, Mr. Francis should first find out what cause the groups to turn violence and disrupted the people reception. We must not condemn a crime and still giving justification for the cause especially from a lawyer.
In the first place, this is exactly what he should have done.
It puzzles me that they chose to do that at a wedding reception and yes, what caused them to act in that manner.
Francis this is not a political game. Politics does not have to be result of this. These guys did wrong and they needs to pay the price. SHAME ON YOU FRANCIS.
Blame the following:
Lack of self-responsibility, self-control and accountability
Lack of respect for authority and the laws of the land
Government-sanctioned welfare and beggarship system
Generational curses and moral bankruptcy
Lack of educational and apprenticeship opportunities
@Sylvester Cadette October 31, 2016
I am looking at the years which you mentioned 1977-1985, and I see that Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit , and most likely, the men and women of his government, were all children. For example in 1985 PM Skerrit would only be 13 years old.
So then the present situation of today, with those young men, is a fruit of those years, according to your observation–I agree with you. During those years children were bringing forth children –hence no one to train, no one to discipline; because both parent and child needed counselling, pertaining to the ways of Life.
So then is it fair of those critics who are blaming the government for the present situation–especially those who were adult in those years–1977-1985? For they know that todays situation was not born yesterday
Those who are involved in that social conflict, they simply lean on those unfair critics to make matters worse–Lord have mercy!.
Hi you are right about the years stated. But you should have kept the discussion pure by not even mentioning the present administration or even the ones in between. Forget those who just see issues through tribal political lenses. Only in this way we can have wholesome and rational discuss. the political element should only come in after we find some solution and we seek leadership at Government level for legislative and policy purposes. All other solutions can be implemented through the relevant organizations
I note that tribal politics often cloud the minds in Dominica and even The university grads are poisoned in their thinking. Let us just address the issues. I thank you for trying to address the issues. I will keep trying to. God bless you.
I am still unable to comprehend they had no common sense to know better that a wedding reception was taking place and they chose to conduct themselves in that manner. They could have saved their fracas for another time.
Lack of work and idleness has nothing to do with that. As the saying, it is baloney to use them as excuses. Their hearts are wicked. They are up to no good. A change of hearts is required. Rehabilitation!
They are not little children without reasoning. I make no excuse for them. They should have known better not to commence a fracas during a wedding reception. They spoiled the bride and groom’s wonderful day; likewise the guests. It is a shame. They need a good beating,
They need Jesus! If they are practicing Catholics, send them to Confession. They need to confess their sins, to make penance and sacrifice.
They are old enough to go to Hell. If they continue in this manner, this is where they will end up.
What they did was wrongdoing and willful which is a sin. It is a crime against the State and nationals.
They shocked and embarrassed the bride and groom and the guests. They placed fear into them and caused them extreme anxiety. Should this have occurred at a wedding reception? Not at all! Not in Dominica!
For God’s sake, they are Dominicans; not people who reside in a country which has unrest as they sometimes conduct themselves.
Dominicans all over the world are shocked that they would stoop so low to commit such a heinous crime. It is not easy to forgive them for their atrocities.
Those perpetrators deserve a severe punishment. Imprisonment should be their lot and rehabilitation, the latter that they might change into law-abiding Dominicans.
Is not lack of employment that is the cause, remember General Noraga was the PM of Panama and he was arrested with possession of cocaine and intended to supply and stayed ten years in jail. You must also understand you yourself is a hard working man earning your salary and you committed an act. Is it lack of employment that did you that? No it is your attitude bye’. bye
I grew up in Loubiere as a young boy, We had our misunderstanding among each other and had our few
fights but not like what I am reading now taking place at Loubiere.
We had no play grounds for football or cricket. We use to pay on the road in Lalacoco. Today the boys have
their on play ground., We had no bathrooms to bathe, everyone had to go to the river for bathe, big or small
and life was a dream. We respect each and everyone privacy .
Therefore, I would like the young men to get a job and do something for themselves rather than smoking
weed. Do not tell me there is no work, when the Hattians can get work.
Joshua these young men should be charged and you should seek judicial review on their behalf
police investigating the matter… yea right.. soon another forgotten story… i thought police was investigating the missing girl.. the misisng man.. the stolen guns.. the stabbing d other day… the guns in the barrel.. and so many more and up till now we cannot hear nothing… stupes.. im fed up with this system and hearing police investigating
Obviously the word invesrigations speaks for its self..their is allt investigations taken place by the police…u wouldnt know that because you are not an investigator or a police..the police are doin there investigations..we all know some things take alittle time and you wont expect to investigate a repot today n get it solved one time..think before you speak.
So true
Star; isn’t its time to stop blaming and pointing fingers? I hvnt heard you said anything condemning the action by the young men. As a responsible person what police don’t do is not a reason why you should not speak strongly against those action disrupting the people reception.
I blame Francis for the incident, since your legal matter arise the youth lose respect for you, as an mp for the people u should be inspiring them, giving them hope, and i blame skerrit u doing too much corruption the youth feel hard work does not pay and they all want to get rich quick without work.
Francis need to go, u cannot blame skerrit for that. Step aside we need a bi election.
Yoh shut up bi election to wat.
This is very sad indeed and the police should move quickly before this spills over into open warfare between these two communities . Sources tell me that the Cbruce boys will be back better prepared and if not they will deal with the loubiere guys one by one wherever they catch them. Dca is too small for that but I know Cbruce people and believe me it’s not over. Cbruce folks calmed the Kalinago in days gone by when the police could not. They are quiet but very resilient. Let peace prevail and some serious mediation have to take place now. Bernard Wiltshire get involved and talk to the Cbruce boys.
Always Assertive!?
Seems to me your sources know who were the victims and the who was doing the assaulting (since they can identify them one by one). Instead of waiting for Bernard Wiltshire to get involved, why don’t you get your sources to aide the police.
these young men are lazy, very lazy! all the Haitian people co.e here and find work they have 2 or 3 jobs. these criminals were not raised as human beings they came up as wild animals their parents or lack f parents failed them.and to compound this they believe society owes them something. if it were my reception I would av already resolved the problem!
It seems clear the ISIS, or ISIS dogma has infiltrated our youth and that the solution is to have the Americans intervene asap before things get worse.
Suggestions for the Americans. Dominica youth should be warned. Following that, both Loubiere (and Castle Bruce) should be targeted for drone strikes (if the Russians get involved, a deal/ ceasefire, can be struck). Thirdly, CCTV monitors should be installed in all public and social centres with links to local police stations. Finally, all suspects should be interred indefinitely without charge until a case can be made against them.
Problem solved!
@Sylvester cadette..the era you referenceing is a age when dominica had gang warfare,it seem that trend still has it’s roots entrenched among today’s young men..back then dominica had this same types of vacabonds such as seen in loubiere,howlings from river street,capassa from grandbay…this is all about Dominica’s ignorant culture….I have said it before…some Dominicans are very ignorant…so you could put a pig in a palace but he ain’t going live his mud…but francis statement on unemployment is not fully factual.could be to certain extent!!!but back then in those warfareing days Dominica’s unemployment was higher,but did not affect how some of us behaved then
Loubiere was a nice and quiet place I grew up in. But now every other week it’s on the news for similar problems. I don’t even recognize half of the people roaming the streets doing nothing. I applaud Joshua for trying his best and I truly believe he’s a genuine person trying to help. Hopefully his efforts will produce the turnaround that’s needed.
I condemn the act of the PM telling Akon to deliver a political speech to Dominicans during his performance… Did y’all miss that? Pretty much the man told Dominicans to work harder and stop blaming the government… This country seriously going down more and more everyday
I ain’t even went to the festival and I felt robbed! How you’re gonna find out about Dominica for the first time in your life for 5 minutes 
and talk about our political situation which you know nothing about? He chose the biggest artist on the card to try and brain wash Dominicans! This is the first time I’ve ever seen a performer do that, let alone one that recently finds out about a country!! 
But But But But wait a minute a wedding them people find to do that drama if it was me i would make one of them hailae or skip for the rest of their life NONSENSE!!!!!!!
When I see these happenings in Dominica over the last five to ten (5-10) years I started thinking hard as to why we are where we are now. Some blame Politics – maybe; some blame unemployment -maybe; some blame neglect of boys – maybe. But looking over the years I started referring the problem as the “Independence Baby Syndrome”. I cannot claim this as absolute fact outside research and empirical evidence but I have a strong notion. Let me explain myself further.
Just around 1976-77 and on to around 1985-86, Dominica was going through a lot of socio-economic and cultural changes coupled with a change in the Sub-cultures affecting Youth and youth expression, the quest for black identity, identity in religion and way of life, identity in the workplace and a changing quest for new social status and all this in a neo-colonial and post- independence era. Then too hurricane David. At that time from 1977 to 1985 we had an alarming spike in teenage pregnancies.
Around that time a lot of families were seeking greener pastures (and understandably so) but often leaving young children to Grand Parents or relatives. There was a serious issue with cohesiveness of families. some children grew up not feeling true love, many had anger towards parents for being left behind (not understanding the true intentions of parents to seek a better life for them). Many became mothers or fathers further compounding their confused state. Of course the majority had difficulty with raising these children who were thrust again unto already overburdened grandparents – a further compounding of the situation. This led to more pregnancies – I know of one lady who was a great grand mother by 45 years – a fifteen year cycle of pregnancy. These children seem to be some of the 20 -35 year olds who are often idle and are repeat offenders. An entire generation!!
Sociologists and doctoral students could examine this phenomenon which I call the”Post Independence Baby…
Sociologists and doctoral students could examine this phenomenon which I call the ”Post Independence Baby Syndrome”. Dr. Paul at Bureau of Gender Affairs could work with UWI and UNICEF in examining this Post Independence Baby Syndrome”. I call it a Syndrome and not a dilemma because a the causes and multiple effects are so intertwined into a “Mêlée Mêlage” – a tussle of very compounded problems that need unraveling before we can even attempt to apply solutions less we further compound the problems with our Non- understanding or Misunderstanding as the case may be.
Our Sociologists and doctoral students and interest organizations should seriously study this Scenario.
u typed pure crap!
Ok – let us assume I did type “Pure Crap”, what counter arguments do you have? what attempts at finding a solution?
I would prefer putting forward an argument that can be critiqued and even proven wrong than not doing anything and assuming a very lazy approach to life. Your approach is frighteningly dangerous to society.
very worry situation… but it’s so funny, the same thing ya’ll asking police to do, is what Trump is asking to be done in the states… stop n frisk, break up suspicious gatherings (which is being done in N.Y)… But ya’ll acting so appalled like it’s the worse thing ever… zoh toh hypocrite…
Mr Francis…good thoughts but please move quickly on this incident.
The fellahs in Loubiere are presently boasting of the incident of how they attacked the Resource Center. They are quite emboldened by the incident and a lack of quick action is giving them a feeling of invincibility.
If you want to see this matter resolved, as MP and a person of high repute in the area, you should see to it that some charges be laid or some arrests made in the shortest possible time.
This is a very serious matter and many people in Loubiere I have spoken to are expressing fears for their safety.
The couple at whose wedding reception the incident took place is thinking of leaving the area because of this same safety matter. Have you reached out to them? They were the one who got the raw end of the stick in this entire matter.
there are young men from Dominica that come to the US and Dominicans in the US helping them get work, they dont want want, when they get work they do less than the bare minimum. Its an issue of upbringing, they want you do give them everything and when they cant get what they want, they act like children getting angry and throwing tantrums and attacking people be cause they have no self control or self determination. Blame their parents!
Who the cap fit let them wear it!
If its security you worried about = Arrest them!
If you want to prevent then from acting like karwats in the future = put them on 3 years probation!
If is work they doh have to do = give them 1000 hours community service with hard labour.
A job is not going to stop a person from acting immature or crazy. this is not an employment issue its an issue of upbringing and self control and emotional intelligence!
Ya Boy!
You have a point there.
that is a very true statement made
I do not totally agree when you say that it is a problem of up bringing except if you know the parents of all those involved and how the parents educated them..My friend educated his son to the best,they as parents are well know and well loved,The son became a teacher ;while he was a teacher he went stilling goats ;his father had no other choice but to shoot his own adult teacher son…we as parents cannot always be blamed for our children’s behaviour. It is like taking a donkey to the river to drink water but you cannot oblige it to drink..When children grow up as adults they should take their own responsibility ,carry the cross and we must stop blaming parents at all times.
Mr. Francis, good ideas but these young men have no interest in working. They have been cuddled, babied and taken care off. We as parents often want to blame the government but we are not honest about the things that we own. Yes, the government has a role in this but we have basically created a society where our men … our next generation of men … are lacking all sorts of skills. I don’t even know how they getting women because they don’t know how to talk. It’s extremely sad to watch the decline of our boys and men.
Earning even $1,500.00 to $2,500.00 per month is not enough for them. You ask them to work, you even give them a downpayment before they work and most times they don’t show up or leave the job half done.
You can only lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink. Unless their mindset don’t change they will always be sitting bye idly and causing trouble. The effort for change has to start with the way they think. Our women think better/more intelligently and are leaving these young men behind.
Curious where are you guys offering men who have no Educational background 1.5k-2.5k a month? I would really like to know.
Who said they want to learn or work hard for money? All they want is quick money. They do not care about EARNING a living. Oh put them in the drug trade without no legal hassle, they will be in that. They want quick big money and they want it now!
some of those young men do not like to work. they crying country tight and they stand by the road to beg or make fast money. not everyone is caught up for office work. go train in a youth center. its good to motivate them but they need to motivate themselves as well. God helps those who helps themselves. Dont wait on the Government to do everything for you and stop blaming everything on unemployment for the sake of hurting other. get real!
Sir all this is true, but these young men rather be on the road side than cleaning someone yard . THe money to them is to small , so they rather do the illegal stuff. IN my opinion it has to do with the parents. DO like judge mathis mom as he said, every bad thing that would happen in his neighborhood his mom would call the cops and ask them to investigate him , now see where he is today, a judge. HIs mom would not cover is bad self . parents stop covering all you wayward boys and girls.
Judge Mathis is a great guy. I love his programs. I heard what he stated about his mother. He was imprisoned as a young teenager. He was spoken to in no uncertain way. She was a no nonsense mother. Thanks to her he is who he is today. The rest of his life, as you know, is history. He is not shy about repeating it to also influence the youths to do something good in life.
Judge Mathis also talks to the youths and give them good advice. These young boys/men, some teenagers should know his story and try to emulate him. He is a great man and is also funny. He came a long way from his radical early years and have done well. He really excelled.
A special program about him should be shown to those Dominican youths.
SAD state it shows how terrible this government is doing,many of the villages you go too the young women are seen going to work,but the young men are left on the blocks begging,selling drugs or high on the same drugs they sell.Dominica is a lost nation and is not getting any better,people will do anything to survive,poverty is not good,while the so call leader lives a lavish lifestyle the poor continue to suffer,God will deliver his people.
nonsense, this has been going on since before I left Dominica and I left in 1997 – go figure. stop putting all the blame on the government. these men are just LAZY
Why you left?
The young women are ambitious. Those young men should learn from them.