Tommy Lee Sparta gives Dominica a little breathing space

Tommy Lee Sparta at the Melville Hall Airport earlier this year
Tommy Lee Sparta at the Melville Hall Airport earlier this year

Controversial dance hall artiste, Tommy Lee Sparta, is giving Dominica a little bit of breathing space for a favorable response in the matter of his deportation, along with three other men, from Dominica earlier this year.

The artiste had originally given Dominica until June 8 to begin compensation negotiations in relation to the matter or he would file a claim at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

That date has come and gone and Tommy Lee’s attorney, Bert Samuels, said he is now giving Dominica until the end of the first week of July to respond since the government of Jamaica has agreed to intervene.

“The (Jamaican) ministry of foriegn affairs by letter dated the 22 of May 2014 advised us that they have raised the matter with the Dominican government and are awaiting their response,” Samuels told DNO on Thursday. “We intend to allow that to run six weeks. Those six weeks will come to an end at the end of the first week of July.”

He said at that time, the matter will be revisited.

“To make a decision whether to go forward to filing a claim or to see whether the response from Dominica, if any, is sufficiently serious for us to continue the diplomatic approach to the matter, government to government,” Samuels said.

Tommy Lee was set to perform at a concert in Portsmouth on February 23 and is alleging that he and Oralie Russell, Junior Fraser and Mario Wallace were denied entry into Dominica, held in inhumane conditions and deported the next day without due process.

The government said he was denied entry into Dominica because of concerns for public safety.

The Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches had denounced the artiste’s appearance at the concert saying his music glorifies Satan and promotes lawlessness and violence.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

45 Comments

  1. child of the king.
    June 24, 2014

    And. The gates of hell shall not prevail. Do you not realize people thatt god makes your wrong right even in the eyes of men? Do you not know that when you trust and serve him he gives you the desires of your heart? Test him, that’s exactly what the evangelical org. Did. He found favour with them. Right now. Its not even about the courts of man but the court of God for his people sought him genuinely in their times of concern and he gave them the desires of their heart and he will continue to do so! I decree and declare that all law suits filed against the government of dominica by tommy lee sparta has become nul and void in the mighty name of yeshua! I declare and decree that there Is confusion in the tommy lee judicial camp. Thank you lord for making the things that are, NOT. I admonish you dear readers and bloggers of DNO to test God and you will see. His name shall be glorified at the end of this.

  2. UDHREADYET
    June 23, 2014

    Skerro just became Chairman of OECS… meme OECS court of Justice Sparta wants to bring his meg case to…

  3. Anonymous
    June 23, 2014

    ahh

  4. Freethinker
    June 22, 2014

    Our government needs to pay Tommy Lee off and stop prolonging this saga. The fact is that Dominica was in the wrong. Sparta was scheduled to perform; he flew to here to perform; he was told abruptly to return to Jamaica. Why wouldn’t he have refused to return? What right did Dominica have to tell him to leave and then to detain him? Just because a few preachers and religious fanatics are afraid of his music doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with his music; art is art, and no rules bind it. If we cannot allow freedom of expression in Dominica, we cannot pretend to have other freedoms, either, and this Sparta case is a key example of that, as well as why religion and politics, church and state, must be separate.

  5. Dominica
    June 21, 2014

    He need to go some else with his Music.
    And Respect people country and the Law.

    Dominican

  6. Dominica
    June 21, 2014

    Dominican need to stand up. for what they believe. No one should visit your country. with any kind of music, that you are not in favour of. Every country has a Law. and if should be respected. If you were to visit any Country, they have a law that foreigners has to abide by, if not they will deport you.
    Do you think any none Jamaican could visit Jamaica and do what they want NO. Dominica has a Law and foreigner should followed. that Law. We are not in favour of the kind of music and performance. As a Dominican we have to stand by that we say NO it means no. Principle.

    He need to respect that.

    Dominican abroad.
    .

    • lmckoy
      June 23, 2014

      @Dominica, you state that “We are not in favour of the kind of music and performance.” Which ‘we’ are you referring to? Clearly, there are Dominicans that wanted the show, otherwise the promoters would not have arranged it, considering the expense. It is your right to not favour Tommy Lee’s music but you do t have the right to stop others who may find it acceptable. The way the system works in a democracy is, if you don’t like the artist, don’t go to his/her shows and if the artist breaks the laws, then he should be charged and let the courts decide.

  7. Anonymous
    June 21, 2014

    Ok. Tell your lawyers to prepare their case.

  8. sis m
    June 20, 2014

    Tommy you cannot come against the children of God know that you are coming against God himself.That money you are looking for will never come to you.you are just looking to go to you grave.Satanic is fooling you.Give your heart to Jesus Christ before its too late.when. one goes to Hell there’s no return! !!!

  9. dominica in maimi
    June 20, 2014

    Come on people make who them , you mean you because if he sue dominica it is your tax money that will pay him so think befor you talk. You think tommy lee cares about dominica we dont and dont be fooled jamaican do not like dominican I was in jamaica on vacation and some people were sayin me dont know why these small islaners come here so fight for your island and not for somebody you dont even know before this event

    • lmckoy
      June 20, 2014

      I do not believe you are telling the truth when you said “— jamaican do not like dominican I was in jamaica on vacation and some people were sayin —“. Over the years, I have met a large number of Dominicans in Jamaica, most of whom were either students, business persons or government workers on training and they were all welcomed and had a blast. I can’t imagine where in Jamaica you spent the vacation you claimed to have had because the hotel staff would be too polite to say such rubbish and the people on the street would not know that you are a Dominican to engage you in such as discussion.

      • BROOKLYN_MAN
        March 14, 2015

        You are correct. If there is one place in the Carob that is not hung up on who visit, stay and live it is Jamaica. The person above is a liar.

    • Justice and Truth
      June 22, 2014

      These are ignorant people who make such comments. Some of them cannot read, write and spell yet think they are important than those in smaller islands. What do they know about the other islands? They are too fresh. With all the murders and other criminal activities in Jamaica, I have no wish to visit there.

  10. Browne,C (Rastafari)
    June 20, 2014

    Let the “bashing of one another” crap rest already. Jamaica and Dominica have more in common than we would admit to. One creep from Jamaica and one creepy PM and his slave church leaders are not enough to divide us! We stand united as one people cause our ancestors ALL came from the same damn ships that was Proliferated through Christ Columbus! :-D

  11. hope
    June 20, 2014

    :lol: look a joke … “give Dominica some breathing space” ………………..stupzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    • ya zee mee
      June 21, 2014

      and is so plenty of allu will end up paying for allu ignorance. the government need to tax allu in particular to help pay the compensation. sot

  12. Ferbreze
    June 20, 2014
  13. Ferbreze
    June 20, 2014

    The person who say that “the artiste’s appearance at the concert saying his music glorifies Satan and promotes lawlessness and violence”. creates more lawlessness and glorifies Satan on a daily basis……. To me what Tommy-lee is saying is that if you don’t live your live properly Satan will take control of it… His persona is one thing and the lyrics another..

    On the other hand while we are preaching integration in an economic union we must be careful how we treat members of the collation.

  14. look out
    June 19, 2014

    Why can’t go to another country or Island and leave us alone. Stay in Jamaica which is ruthless and corrupt and do what he wants. Dominica has rules and regulations. I live in the USA, and a lot of Jamaicans don’t even like Dominica, and they always saying, “this small island”. Give us a brake, and go somewhere else. He looking for something, the Chinese take everything that was left. Pleaseeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!

    • Hero Worship
      June 20, 2014

      My dear, whenever a Jamaican tell you they don’t like Dominica/Dominicans because our island small, you must ask them if they don’t like Bajans, Lucians, Grenadians, Kittitians, Vincentians too…because as far as my geography book tells me the island of Dominica bigger than all of these islands i just listed…so hating a people because the rock they were born on is smaller than yours, seems to be a nonsensical comment at best, and an ignorant comment at worst.

      I always say when you meet caribbean people in NYC, Europe etc and they come talking these foolishness to you, look them in the eye and say, “Yet you’re here, not there”.

      • Anonymous
        June 21, 2014

        Why would a Jamaican not like Dominica because of the size of the island? Where’s the logic here? Get over this big island/small island BS. Nobody even thinks about that.

      • Face the Truth
        June 22, 2014

        They also do not like those bigger countries. They hate the police, not because the police are not good but because.they are criminals who detest them for obvious reasons.
        Some of them migrate to only continue their criminal activities and create havoc in those lands. It has been proven in Canada and no doubt the USA and Europe. They think they are smarter than the police. Do not think their presence is not regretted by the authorities and members of the public who detest their criminal activities for they have made those countries a less safe place.
        Jamaica is known because of the number of criminals who were caught as we hear them through the Media. This is the reason why they are known. If some of their people did not commit criminal activities, I wonder if Jamaica would be that well-known.
        Thank God the police have caught many of them and they are in jail. It is a bit quiet for now in Toronto because they were caught. Those who may be out on either bail or parole, they are under surveillance. When they are caught and their accommodations are searched, numerous guns and thousands of dollars are found. They use those countries for their own benefit; not because they care about them. You should tell them that.

    • magwasa
      June 20, 2014

      correction….dominica has NO RULES AND NO REGULATIONS…cuz if it did then the PM wuld follow the constitution and this country wuldnt hv been so corrupted..i agree with tommy-lee, though i am not a fan to his music, bt he shuld make them pay cuz dats nt the way u treat another human being regardless..and btw who does more evil than the churches stupes

      • eyeballs
        June 20, 2014

        Are you brainless or what? It takes only an idiot Dominican to make such a statement. Not your fault

    • danger
      June 20, 2014

      TO LOOK OUT, name one of the rules in Dominica, does Dominica have any corruption, shut your dam mouth, you ran away from dominica, and who knows maybe on a student visa, you knows nothing about dominica, so stay in america and keep out.

    • 2q+2q
      June 20, 2014

      look out ah wha u b a idiot u guys don’t think before you all write all them silly comments

    • Face the Facts
      June 22, 2014

      Those Jamaicans should be ashamed of themselves. They are out of place. I would not carry-on a conversation with such people. Some of them who reside in those countries love to pretend a lot and to tell lies. Who are they anyway who call other islands small?
      The radicals, unruly, non-law-abiding ones, gun-totters and drug trafficking ones create problems wherever they go. The amount of them in Toronto of all who killed others and young ones at that is pathetic.
      They give their island a bad name. Jamaica does not have a good name due to these criminals. I would not even bother with them. They hide under the banner of Jamaica. I will say, “So what? Who cares?”
      Some of their own people do not want to have anything to do with them. And you know, a country has all types. When you speak to them and/or associate with them you should have an idea who they are and disassociate yourself with them.

  15. hmm
    June 19, 2014

    it do right for them we Dominicans too like to believe we can do people what we want and get away with it. follow proper procedure you cant mixed politics and religion with everything. the way they treated the man is wrong he has his rights they should have respect it. as a God fearing nation we should all know that everyone have equal rights lets respect it . Skirret too believe he in control of everything

  16. Hisexcellency101
    June 19, 2014

    Lol I know Tommy can’t shake this government….. Mind he doe get shook Lol tommy doe play with DA

  17. June 19, 2014

    He was told to cancel, so why he insisted on coming still . That’s the question he needs to answer.

  18. Gloat
    June 19, 2014

    You are giving them a grace period. You have good in you, man. They say you are lawless and it so happens that we have a lawless primeminister. So let me see how it plays out between the pot and the kettle.

  19. mila
    June 19, 2014

    Stups! He have his own cases and records right in Jamaica but government wanna intervene to help him elsewhere so he could pay them when he get charged…..

  20. metyo
    June 19, 2014

    :lol: I am sorry but DNO why is this weasel making the news again??? talking rubbish bout he giving Dominica Govt Breathing space stupes

  21. eyeballs
    June 19, 2014

    That’s news too? If the government of the country denied you entry, why you showing your azzz like you ‘big boss’? They should send poo poo on you. The ‘freak’ talking about inhumane prison treatment like shanty town has better prison system

  22. KoKo Naughts
    June 19, 2014

    Bon diay somebody please tell Mr. Lee that Dominica is breathing fine. We doh need a patat room from him to breathe. Sacway toneh, man!!

  23. 4u2C
    June 19, 2014

    What happen, the Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches not calling out evil in high places in Dominica; They not calling out the dismantling of government institution which WILL allow evil and wickedness to flourish. What hypocrisy is that? Don’t be blind by Tommy Lee, he is only one man and his stay in DA would be less than 24hrs.
    Every day we see and hear of wickedness in high places and the same Evangelical Churches stay SILENT!
    Evil is NOT evil it depends on who doing the evil. That’s what the churches stand for these days, Then they wonder why the building is empty. That is God has shown the others the light that they (some churches) are just as bad or worse than Tammy Lee.

    STAND FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THE NATION WILL RISE FROM THE POOL OF INEQUITY AND DARKNESS!!

  24. dont edit
    June 19, 2014

    So does, rap and some bouyon music. Church has its place, revelers have their place. If you in church don’t go to tommy lee concert. If you’re not going to go then hush your mouth!!

  25. LOL
    June 19, 2014

    Boss behave urself….i ent seeing DA have better things to pay attention to then…u maybe want justice but trust me u not winning against SKERRIT na….lol

  26. ohoh
    June 19, 2014

    Stupessss. We don’t no breathing space. Get a life.

  27. # Dominican.#
    June 19, 2014

    The next generation will match us into Caribbean integration!

  28. real possie
    June 19, 2014

    HAHAHAHAHA boy I flat where all those that had so much to say I told you all this guy does not have a case.

  29. Morihei Ueshiba
    June 19, 2014

    Uncllllleeee Demon Gaza man dem crazy no they forgiving…. GaZa Me SeY

  30. June 19, 2014

    We need to end the hypocrisy and banish ignorance, superstition, and prejudice both in Dominica and Jamaica.

    • derp
      June 20, 2014

      Dominica is lawless fact….

  31. Anonymous
    June 19, 2014

    Stupessssssssssssssss they doh take you on so your pretending, wait still so long Cabral backslide on you hahahaha :mrgreen:

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available