Six residents from Salisbury have been charged in relation to protest action which took place in the community on May 11 and will be facing the court next week.
The five men and one woman were arrested in the community on June 11 sparking a round of angry confrontation between the police and residents.
The six were taken to Police Headquarters in Roseau where they were released on bail..
They have been identified as Keith Bougouneau, Alex Howe, Hilary John, Gilbert Frederick, Christina Eusebe and Peter Vidal.
Reports are that they have been charged with “riotously and tumultuously assembled to the disturbance of the public,” contrary to the Riot Act.
They are expected to appear in court on Tuesday, June 16.
Howe was released on $10,000 bail and the rest on $5,000.
Political leader of the opposition, United Workers Party (UWP), Lennox Linton, said at a meeting on Thursday night that the charges must be dropped since they are unacceptable.
“They did not hurt anybody, they did not fire stone at anybody, they did not threaten anybody, they didn’t injure anybody, they riotously and tumultuously assembled,” he said. “In other words, they were making a lot of noise, they were making a lot of noise in protest and for that they have been charged. They have been released, we are saying that is half the job done. The charges must now be withdrawn.”
The UWP said the meeting was held ‘in solidarity’ with the residents of Salisbury.
The trouble in Salisbury began on May 11 when residents blocked the main road linking Portsmouth to Roseau in protest over poor farm access roads in the community.
The road was eventually cleared by the police using tear gas.
Works on the roads began soon after that. However, the authorities made it clear that the protest was illegal and vowed that “appropriate action” would be taken.
On June 11, the police went to Salisbury to arrest the six residents but that did not go down well with members of the community, which resulted in the other round of protest.
The “Salisbury Six” must stand before the mighty Labour Power and answer for their actions on that dreadful day. Labourites and other law-abiding Dominicans demand that these violent criminals be punished to the full extent of the law. Dropping charges will NOT be an option. Who do these power-hungry people on the side of the Uneducated Wicked People think they are??? Drop charges??? The “Salisbury Six” will be made an example of for all those who seek to overthrow our great Supreme Leader and the blessed Labour Party Government. The minority will not prevail! Victory is for Labourites and Labourites ONLY! Thank you.
UWP is using its constituents as pawns in a game against their own society and government. They are in fact feeding off the ignorant. They are inciting violence and dividing an otherwise peaceful society.
Those lawyers undermined our efforts. Live on Salisbury
do inicans is not the answer to get things done.think of the worldwide publicity, these actions affect every one including our tourist industry , development funding migration and much more.please for the good of our country Stop the violence.there is more than one way to skin a cat..remember there is no better island than ourbeloved Dominica.no matter where we are right now.Pleaseresolve the matter peacefully.
who the hell is linton and his lots to tell the court charges against the people must be dropped now ,what a fool this 60 year boy is please please go back to school and learn fr. spain
do inicans is not the answer to get things done.think of the worldwide publicity, these actions affect every one including our tourist industry , development funding migration and much more.please for the good of our country Stop the violence.there is more than one way to skin a cat..remember there is no better island than ourbeloved Dominica.no matter where we are right now.Pleaseresolve the matter peacefully.
I came to visit Dominica for 7 days and I was shocked!!! Do the people of Salisbury really expect to riot and the police to intervene? thats crazy, they need to come up here to the UK and see how it is… Police up here dont use rubber bullets at all, up here is the real deal
I thought that throwing of stones was a crime? people this is just not right, stop putting your two feet in one shoe and allowing politics to divide our peaceful country. we are to build our country not to destroy it. when fires are set in the road then money has to be spent to rebuild it please people think twice
The people have the right to protest against injustice without being harassed by the police if they do not like what is happening in their community, come together and shout about it, let the world know, No matter what the law do don’t stop speaking out for what you want, all the Islanders should do the same COME ON DOMINICA SUPPORT SALISBURY…
Let us be fair. They obstructed fellow D/cans from going to school and work. It was no laughing matter but to be taken seriously.
If you want to protest, you cannot do that. Go somewhere where it will not affect anyone. Dominicans who were affected by this protest could sue them for loss of time and funds. Some of the students were not able to write their exams. The exams had to be postponed.
It appears to me that Linton want things his way and only his way. He overlooks the police are authorities. They have a right to arrest those who defied the Law.
What is D/ca coming to when every time the government speaks, he is disrespected, ridiculed, his words are denounced and derogatory words are used against him? There is too much of that!
The police are performing their work and the same occurs.
So the government cannot do anything nor can the Police?
Linton, keep quiet and let the police perform their duty. If you were in that situation what would you not do?
the people of Salisbury should stand at the ready.
This charge is BASELESS!
Salisbury, the right thinking Dominicans are with you.
Don’t give up on your constitutional rights because the rest of Dominica choose to be enslaved
What above those minister are they above the law to?what about 1.5 million dollars that go to a private account?that why I hate you all labourite
Drop all charges Now and leave the people alone please. Stop that nonsense now. Get hold of you all inflated political egos
Standing up for your rights does not meet disrupting everyone else and the way the people went about this in such a violent and disrespectful manner, someone needs to be prosecuted. Lennox and Hector were behind this all along and now charges must be dropped? Please. Who does Lennox think he is the law? If the judge makes such a determination then fine, but he is the only on who has that power.
It is so sad to see my island, Dominica, being so divided. All in the name of politricks. Is Dominica a part of ISIS? Don’t all Dominican have the same rights? Isn’t it the job of government to take care of “all” citizens of the country? Why are the people of Salisbury being treated as pariahs?
The violence was started by the police, not the people of Salisbury.
There is the burning question that I need to ask “what about the people in the Salisbury constituency who voted Labor? Shouldn’t they be rewarded for their votes just like all the other constituencies who voted Labor? Isn’t this a case of Peter paying for Paul?”
The Salisbury residents MUST demand that charges are dropped by Tuesday, NOT take them to court and have the magistrate reprimand them because a CONVICTION for rioting is no simple conviction to have on your record. ALL charges must be dropped forthwith or else the villagers MUST SERIOUSLY reconsider their options.
The ton-ton-macoute leaders (Cough-ee-tee and Valley-Irie) MUST be held accountable for violence against our people.
I AM SALISBURY, ARE U?
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
What happen, Salisbury people and Lennox running the country? Hear him and his TONE of voice , “They(the rioters) were released but were charged.”They were released but that is only half. I want those charges be redrawn.” Looks like the authorities are Linton’s children and they have to go by his command.
Right…b/c you would prefer he is Skerritts footstool and speak “when Skerritt decides who will speak.”
You guys really have been reduced to such a childish state it offends your ears to hear how a real man sounds when he is being clear and direct.
Why has there yet to be an INVESTIGATION of the many accusations of sexual harassment/exploitation by the president of the state college? Let me guess b/c Skerritt didn’t do TELL someone to investigate?!
The authorities need to do their job and INVESTIGATE, ARREST, and PROSECUTE any one who breaks the laws, not just those the DLP decides they should target b/c they won’t kowtow to their BS.
Kid on the block
Leave linton children out of your mess, you wish you had a daddy that cared about you and love you the way he does his babies.
Linton sounds like the boss of all, eh. I am Lord of all I survey. Macho man. So much for him and his followers.
@KID ON THE BLOCK June 12, 2015
You telling me! Who this man think he is? You mentioned his “tone of voice” and I can hear it without my physical ear, all the way out in Toronto–the charges must be withdrawn–who is the authority here.
That man needs to know his place if he is going to get any kind of upper position–God has said He will not allow no one who thinks they are higher and mightier than Him, to glory in His presence–that goes for Linton as well
Tanto-tanto, shack coeshon nee samdi yoe!
They are NOT, and are not being asked to be Linton’s children. However they must understand that political power is a part-time phenomenon that will come to an end. Further, they are distabilizing the country with their egoistic arrogance and exposing the CDPF to a backlash scenario that will be far reaching and consequential. If the people can no longer trust the police then what? Ask Trinidad people about Machuchal (spelling??) and you will see where the police is heading in terms of community relations. I pray for people like you, Skerro and Rayburn
. May cooler heads prevail for the sake of our nation.
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
To the last post by “Dominica” judging by your lack of understanding of the matters at hand and your poor grasp of the English language I can clearly see that my post will not be very well received. The fact that persons expressed themselves which is well within the law and was met with Live ammunition and the tear gassing of the young, the old and sick is a shameful act and persons of the current administration should be held fully accountable for the above .
trying to understand your comment,when I see a sensible comment I respect it,but yours states,children and old and sick persons were gased,my trouble with that comment is,what are children sick and old people doing in a protest action,as far as I see ,they don’t belong there in the first place,that is my observation and what your comment is addressing
It seems to me that “forreal” is not quite informed on the matter. Did you hear or read that there are elderly persons living in the area that was gassed? I am from Salisbury and I can tell you of at least six “6” elderly and infirm persons living within 100 yards from Lavigie, the area where all of the action took place. Did you hear the name teargas? It is a gas which makes it able to be blown in different areas by the wind. It is formulated to spread, not remain in one place.
Please use your mental faculties, if you have any. Children, elderly and the sick do not have to be a part of the protest to be affected by teargas.
You heard and read it was an illegal protest. Furthermore they prevented many people, students and workers from being able to go through their protest area. They blocked their path. Is this fair?
What about those who probably had medical appointments and who were not able to pass their barricade? Need I state more?
We’re the Salisbury not told to sue the police/government for spraying with tear gas?why didn’t they do it.now is their turn to sue for being sprayed with expired tear gas?are they really serious ? Or playing road blocking?
so sending stone and bottle behind my daughter on government road was lawful? Salisbury people had all their right to murder my one and only child I trying to my best to take care of and send to school? And police was wrong to stop them from trying to kill her? SMH…the ignorance of some people never ceases to amaze
yesssaaahhhhh boy
Shameless to hear the UWP leader lamenting. DNO, your bias and self interest reporting has earned you the highest award in gutter journalism. Since you are news agengy you propangander machine will get you no where. In order words don’t select the comments that favour your party.
According to the UWP and its supporters the only ones in this country with rights to defend are those that oppose the government and buy into the political propaganda of the UWP. It seems that when crimes are committed by the UWP, including having a US national sit in the house of assembly, the smuggling of crab backs and the stoning of police while attempting to per form their duties are not considered criminal. It is only criminal when it is done by individuals that have a different political philosophy to the UWP. Simply put the UWP is a violent party with a history of blocking roads and throwing stones. What can one expect if by chance they would form the government. Well we can expect repressive laws and new prisons to accommodate the political prisoners.
Paul shut your mouth, you are an idiot
They act as if they are the only ones who have rights.
This is what would really be a dictatorship government. Yet, they accuse the PM of it. They are fortunate that Dominica is not one otherwise they would not be able to express their opinion, not even on a Website.
very true
I think u should shut the hell up.switch shoes and let’s see how u react.
Interesting grounds for arrest. Is that lawful?
I am not sure if I understand that clearly….. Were these 6 people the only people speaking loudly? From my understanding, it was the entire village protesting, the entire village causing disturbance……. How were they singled out?
What ever happened to the times when Dominicans could put politics behind after the elections and move forward in unity for the positive progress of our beloved country. The Salisbury protest I think was just a way for some people who felt that their cries have not been listened to, to express their dissatisfaction and hurt. In my opinion arresting five people out of a whole village plus is pure nonsense. This is just trying to be vindictive and I do not think much positive thought went into the decision to arrest those people. This can only serve to incite the people further.
Is there going to be a time when we will stop being copycats? I looked at the pictures and what I saw was a real WAR ZONE.
This is not a time for war. This is a time for intelligent discussion and not immature, childish decisions.
Instead of sending in war troops in full army gear to arrest those there should have been town hall meetings to hear and listen to the cries of a hurting people.
Why did the people not protest in a civilized manner instead of blocking the road preventing the ordinary man from going to earn his/her daily bread? They are only harming their neighbor and fellow Dominicans. John was not fit to be leader of the opposition but is awarder the leader of destruction. The government need to more diplomatic and be prepared for their nest attack. Salisbury people are becoming terrorist. Old say goes like SHOW ME YOUR COMPANY AND I WILL TELL YOU WHO YOU ARE.
How may delegations do the people of Salisbury have to make to try to speak to the powers that be? This has been going on for more than a decade. There have been many attempts made to speak to the prime minister and his minister of communications and works. There have been protests in Roseau. All to no avail. The bottom line is that Salisbury is being punished for not being part of the Labor party machine.
Lang Mama is preparing a SURMON to send to Rosie Douglas to charge him for the road blocks thst he initiated.I am also preparing one for Charles Saverin.
Be careful what you state. You may very well join him soon in eternity.
I guess peope cannot open their mouth and talk anymore.
Once you start attacking innocent civilians and the police, all bets are off and its a different ball game. So all who wants to simplify what happened to not being able to talk and protest, good luck!!
Shut the f up the police instigated al of it, the demonstration was peaceful the villiagers were asking for a government rwpresentative to come to their village to meet with them, the poliice started assulting people, the pictures are being viewed not only by dominican nationals, just a matter of time many questions will have to be answered
Them guys look like robots with their inferior china made military gears, as we all know who laugh last laugh the best, dominica belongs to all of us not only to skerrit, his military police and his supporters, what the robots are doing in Salsbury they cannot go to the village of grand bay and do what they did in Salsbury no way in hell they would, skerrit supporters can demonstrate, their demands are being resolve without his military police and those who did not support him before they take move he deploy his military police to attack them with expired tear gas and live ammunitions, too much bouble standard on this piece of rock, tiny caribbean
They cannot comprehend and see right from wrong and vice versa. They refuse to know the truth and to accept it.
The manner in which things were done was wrong. How can your stone the police when they try to clear the road? Do you expect them to damage state vehicles willfully and not be prosecuted? What about the college and other institutions who it cost having to reschedule exams, and the numerous business places that lost a lot that day?
It looks like that’s the road we are heading to.cuba/Venezuela .some of u post some nonsense but when the time start changing I hope they can open their mouth but I think it wil be too late.and that include facts who sits in canada and open his mouth with no facts but his stupid opinion
so you need to throw stones for you to talk?
The truth shall set you free ,we all know that the number of dictators are decreasing all over the world every day,either by natural death,assassination,accident or the population have opened their eyes the day of election and vote against the ruling dictatorial party which is in power…the time for every purpose is never far..be patient,wait and see..
This also includes you. Who knows whose time is nearing to an end? Only God knows!
Mr. Prime Minister, you saw how the Salisbury residents reacted when the police came for the six farmers. Upon hearing that they were released, I thought that charges had been dropped, and that a new page was turned. Now I’m reading this bullcrap!! For peace sake, drop the charges!! What do you think will happen if (most prob when) the court rules against them??!!
Lennox, here is a good opportunity for you to back up your words with action. If these guys cannot afford legal counsel on their own, UWP should help them get a lawyer.
Unless they were seen to be committing a crime, they may well be charged by their presence at the road blockade.
What is really going on? Is Lennox the leader of Dominica? This is absolutely insane. It seems like the minority is in control. This is not good. PM, step to the plate, your supporters are l
He wants to think that he is in charge. He is still angry that he is not the PM. This is eating his heart out. I hope he does not get sick, his blood pressure does not go up and he dies of anger and stress over this.
I don’t feel sorry for them whatsoever. I worked hard to pay college for my little sister. Telling me you blocking the road and making her miss her exams? I do support the protest because I think they are being politically targeted with the lack of investment. But take it to the govt and don’t disrupt my life. I was directly affected. There is a way to do things and their way is not the way.
Discombobulated ,Dont be a fool, They are fighting that tomorrow your little sister will be able to stand and call wrong ,Wrong ,and not be victimized ,Your four fathers did the same for you , Some of them died ,But look here ,you are free today ,are you willing to go back to slavery? think of it seriously
@Truth: Maybe you should’ve invested in college for yourself. Apart from the fact that you cannot put a proper sentence together, (ie your sentence is riddled with grammatical errors) you don’t fully appreciate the importance of education. Yet you call me a fool? Children should never be affected by politics (though the Salisbury kids are, hence my support for the protest). I would like to see the people of Salisbury take the fight directly to the govt and not disrupt my personal life. I chose to go to work and chose to fund my sister’s education. She has a right to her exams. If you do not understand that then I guess I will remain a fool in your eyes
@Truth……I don’t know about you, but most if us here have only one father.
Do you mean “forefathers?”
Some of you allow your minds to work overtime and imagine what is not occurring.
You have already made up your mind and nothing will change it.
but wat I hearing dere nah? d man saying dem people doe send stones wi…mista drunk man…u want them to go free for breaking the law? are salisbury people above the law? well if is dat all rapists and murderers should be set free because d law cannot be enforced on a set and another set going free…how big grown men can act so foolishly is beyond my comprehension
Do you have any proof that those ppl arrested, throwed any stones? That’s the case here, hence why they weren’t charged with damage to property (Police Van) and more such as injuring an officer. It can’t be proven.
Now charging someone with “riotously and tumultuously assembled to the disturbance of the public,”
is nonsense, cause anyone within this area can be ‘charged’ with such. What will the punishment be? lol
who in coliahaut was charged when the blcoked the road? who in Layou was charged when they blocked the road to protest about the quarry? who in the Carib Reserve has been charged? STOP THIS POLITICS AND SUPPORTING WRONG!
where were you when the other protestors in other villages did the same and obtained dialogue with the authorities. they were not fired upon! there was not teargas! Salisbury people has been feeding dominicans for years and this is how they are being treated! do you think that is unjust?