Unpleasant mood among Dominicans in Guadeloupe journalist says

A march in Guadeloupe after Yohann Equinoxe was killed. Photo: Guadeloupe 1ère
A march in Guadeloupe after Yohann Equinoxe was killed. Photo: Guadeloupe 1ère

While saying that the mood among Dominicans in Guadeloupe is unpleasant following the killing of a young man by a youth from Dominica, journalist Clayton Florent believes there is no need for concerns over reported tension between the two communities.

He described videos which surfaced on social media concerning the matter as ‘isolated incidents’ and said a deployment of French police to Guadeloupe over the weekend was a general response to rising crime on the French island which has nothing to do with the incident.

“The mood is not a pleasant one,” Florent, a Dominican who hosts a radio program in Guadeloupe, told DNO on Monday. “We are sad and we are disturbed because anything which happens with one of us, or to one of us, or by one of us, it creates some embarrassment to all of us.”

Reports are that Yohann Equinoxe was stabbed seven times by a 15-year-old who was born in Dominica and who attempted to steal his phone. The incident took place in Abymes on Tuesday, September 13, 2016.

Police reinforcement arrived in Guadeloupe on the weekend and to hit the streets on Monday. Guadeloupe 1ère
Police reinforcement arrived in Guadeloupe on the weekend and will hit the streets on Monday. Photo: Guadeloupe 1ère

Following the incident there were reports of tension between the Dominican and Guadeloupean communities. A video popped up on social media showing what appeared to be a man from Guadeloupe purportedly threatening violence against Dominicans. Soon after that another video with what appeared to Dominicans responding appeared with one man in the video describing Yohann Equinoxe as a ‘cockroach.’

But Florent told DNO that the videos are isolated incidents.

“Generally speaking there is no tension between the Dominica community and the Guadeloupean community,” he said.

Florent, who has been active for many years in the Dominica-Guadeloupe Association and many other associations, said he has seen tension between the two communities in the past, but the latest incident has not caused any strains.

Florent hosts a radio show in Guadeloupe
Florent hosts a radio show in Guadeloupe

“There is no tension per se, like the Dominican community cannot walk, cannot go out, or do certain things,” he noted, adding that the videos are nothing more than young people quarreling with each other on social media.

A contingent of police arrived in Guadeloupe over the weekend but Florent said the detachment has nothing to do with the incident but with the rise of violence in general.

“The discussion that is going on is not about Dominicans per se but against violence which has been happening in Guadeloupe,” he explained. “The authorities are concerned, the authorities have made requests to the Interior Minister in France to do something concerning the rise of criminal violence in Guadeloupe. A number of persons have been robbed, there has been a lot of persons who have been shot and the President of the General Council made an appeal to the authorities in France nd the authorities decided to send gendarmes to Guadeloupe. They have nothing to do with what transpire last Monday because the police have been complaining for the longest while that there is a shortage of manpower in the force.”

Florent, who has been interacting with Dominicans on his radio show, said his advice to Dominicans is to remain vigilant and not to particpate in crime or violent activities.

He said they should not take part in conversations about the incident that might cause trouble and they should go about their daily business as normal.

“Avoid the discussion (of the incident) as much as you can because we will not want it to get to the point where it will escalate where Dominicans would be victimized,” Florent said.

It was reported in 2012 that there were 9,000 Dominicans living legally in Guadeloupe.

Scene where Yohann Equinoxe was killed. Photo: Roberto Birhus/ France-Antilles
Scene where Yohann Equinoxe was killed. Photo: Roberto Birhus/ France-Antilles

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21 Comments

  1. September 20, 2016

    Crime is everywhere but parents need to do their work . teach your kids early enough what is life and the proper way to leave their life ,phones, gold chaine, vehicle ,houses and motorcycle is vanity. Education is the key of life ,with your education you will become the person God want you to be. please stop crime

    • September 20, 2016

      Proud Haitian:

      I love your short comment. In a few words you wrap up so much wisdom!

      Parents need to teach their children what life is. The Greeks have two words for life. BIO is natural life. We come into the world with BIO life. If we only have the things that pertain to BIO we may have fun or we may get into trouble. But we will miss the best and we will have nothing for the next plane of existence.

      The other word is ZOE. This is the life that extends into eternity. This is a particular quality of life. It is spiritual life. We receive BIO when we receive Jesus Christ the Son of God as our personal Savior. The Bible says “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12) ZOE life causes us to prioritize our values. Parents should teach their children not to be overly occupied with the “gadgets” and “things” of this world but to become the person God wants him or her to be.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill, Evangelist.

  2. AB
    September 20, 2016

    Ok so what about the video that popped up of dominican women being harrassed by guadeloupe nationals? No tension huh… ok

  3. CRIME STOPPERZ
    September 20, 2016

    the only way we can get respect from the French is to sign extradition laws so we can send those criminals right back to face trial… OPEN YOUR EYES FRENCHY(SKERRIT) BEFORE THERE IS ANOTHER 1970,S FRENCH UPRISING…THEY HUNTED DOMINICANS LIKE DOGS.

  4. September 20, 2016

    There’s ALWAYS ONE or a FEW who make others look bad. This exists not only on the streets or in our communities but in the workplace. So many competent people are deemed incompetent because co-workers are bad eggs. It happens. My condolences to the bereaved.

  5. Disgusted
    September 19, 2016

    Dominicans who leave peacefully in Guadeloupe sure know the characters who visit Guadeloupe to terrorize the french and commit crimes. Once you see these sob’s, report them to the French Police who will investigate their legal status and purpose of stay. Send them back. If they are illegal, jail them before deporting them.

  6. Tell the Facts
    September 19, 2016

    It is to be expected there will be an adverse reaction on both sides. I do not think all Dominicans and Guadeloupeans are involved. A few radicals are the ones who create this problem.
    At the same time it is disappointing that this D/can youth would stoop to this. I always feel when one is especially in a different country he/she should have the common sense to conduct themselves appropriately, lest fingers be pointed at them. Yes, his action gives D/cans in especially Guadeloupe, a bad name. It also places them in a vulnerable position, prone to attacks, verbally and physically..
    When people of another country commit such a crime, it must not be overlooked that the outcry will be unpleasant.
    I would agree if D/ca’s PM speak on this matter and also inform D/can visitors to Guadeloupe to conduct themselves appropriately. They should be warned of the repercussion of their adverse action and the effect it could have on innocent Dominicans in that country.

  7. Caribbean National
    September 19, 2016

    Dominicans are trouble makers everywhere, they can’t keep their mouth shut, they follow bad company, they make the most noise at the Airports when LIAT is late. They are a nuisance.

    They need to change their way of thinking. That bush mentality need to be positive. You are suppose to be a peaceable nation. Your environment sets the tone for one to be at peace with nature yet still you’re not.

    • September 20, 2016

      This is not the majority of Dominicans. You are talking about the small percentage who post their grievances against the government with DNO and never miss an opportunity to blame the P.M. for the last thing that went wrong on the island.

      These are those who are never satisfied. They take every shortcoming as a national failure. Unfortunately they are the ones who make the most noise. But it may be a therapy for them. I hope they feel better after they ventilate.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

    • jr
      September 21, 2016

      You are an idiot . Thats all i can say to this stupid comment

    • Tell the Facts
      September 21, 2016

      I cannot believe that you got all these likes. Anyway it is not a competition.
      You generalized, including all Dominicans in your nonsense. I object to it. If you have any common sense you will know that not all D/cans are one and the same and are troublemakers.
      You placed yourself on a higher and greater than thou pedestal than others. Who are you anyway? I do think you are out of place. We deserve an apology from you.

  8. September 19, 2016

    the killing of the young man is bad a tragic death but too many times in the past Guadeloupe ans like topaint all Dominicans with a broad brush. during world war 2 some of them came here as refugees now it seems that all Dominicans are included because of one man’s wrong doing.

  9. Bumbble Lee
    September 19, 2016

    “Dominicans go home to your pa pa Scare-it.”

  10. anonymous
    September 19, 2016

    Good advice Florent.

  11. Titiwi
    September 19, 2016

    It is no secret that there are long-standing areas of concern between us and Guadeloupe. As recent as 9 June this year (DNO 10 June, 2016). our M.P. attended a high-level meeting in Guadeloupe to discuss urgent issues such as illegal immigration, observation of customs & fishing regulations, and drug trafficking among others., with a view to improve cooperation between the two territories, particularly from the side of Dominica. To pretend that all is well does not help matters.

  12. September 19, 2016

    Those who choose to go there, and commit crime make us look bad, so therefore they say all Dominicans are bad, and that’s not true.

    • Joey B
      September 19, 2016

      Dont Dominicans say the Spanish people are bad people?????

      • FORKIT
        September 19, 2016

        people hate the truth…its like black people don’t like racism when it comes from the white man but on there other hand we call the caribs derogatory names

      • huh?
        September 19, 2016

        No they don’t

      • September 20, 2016

        Your point tho? Two wrongs do not make a right. When one person commit a crime, please just deal with that individual and not drag an entire race of people in the mess.

    • Lapwet
      September 19, 2016

      Dominicans call spanish, Haitians and Africans bad just because they come here and try to do something for them selves ,meanwhile we going abroad and do worst.

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