Riot police were called to disperse protesters at a protest organized by the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) today, after the growing crowd blocked the road demanding that traffic be diverted.
Dominica News Online (DNO) was informed that the police fired tear gas into the crowd which affected a number of people.
CCM president, Loftus Durand, told Matt Peltier in an interview conducted for DNO, that the protest had been very peaceful up to the point where the crowd started to grow.
“It reach a point this afternoon where the crowd started to grow. As a result of that, the traffic was basically causing a situation of putting the people’s life at risk as the people took it upon themselves, basically, to ask the police to redirect the traffic and so the police choose not to do that in the time that they asked, “ Durand recounted. “So, the people decided to block the road, meaning form a line across the road so that no vehicle could pass.”
He said the police did eventually redirect the traffic but by then the crowd had become quite agitated and were verbally directing their anger at the police. He said at that point, the organizers decided that the protest would end at 5:00 pm.
He continued, “It was about 4:30 thereabouts and we heard Mr. Valentine, Superintendent or whatever his position is; he came with a megaphone, basically saying something but what he was saying, nobody could actually hear him. They came basically with some signs saying the crowd needs to disperse or tear gas will be fired.”
It is believed that Superintendent Valentine was using the megaphone to read the riot act to the protesters.
Within ten minutes, Durand recounts, the police fired tear gas canisters at the crowd.
“Now in military language, that tear gas that I know, is supposed to be thrown up in the air to get the attention of the protesters to move out but they basically threw the tear gas at a very vertical angle and one of the canisters of tear gas burst right through one of the protester’s vehicle, the back glass, that is,” he said. “And a lot of protesters, little children, they got tear gassed and bearing in mind we have a gas station right where we were protesting.”
DNO was not able to independently verify this information but a young man who was affected by the tear gas, told Matt Peltier that he vomited blood.
Another protester , known as Jimbo, said he had just finished tying his placard at the back of his vehicle and was getting ready to leave when his vehicle got hit by a tear gas canister.
“I saw them coming so I prepare myself. I took my kerchief from my pocket; I wet it and I sat there tying my..when I was about to finish, I heard a thing pass [close] me and I heard a noise and I couldn’t see anything again.” Jimbo stated. “It’s a good thing I had the cloth, otherwise, I’d be a dead man. Then a lady..when a lady come to the vehicle, someone pour water on my head. I don’t even know who pour water on my head but I appreciate that very much..”
Durand said the incident warrants “an investigation locally and certainly, an international investigation.”
He added, “Because we, in Dominica, we will not relent. The police in Dominica, under the direction of the government, cannot intimidate we, the people and we will say it loud and clear that that tactic cannot work.”
The CCM president has vowed that the protest action will continue.
This is EXACTLY what I am talking about. Doing things and playing the victim. It was TIME for the protest to end. You all were given to do your protest but when it was time to end, you all didn’t want to (just like D Day). The law ASKED that you all disperse at that time but no, you all are above the law so you all don’t have to obey. But when the law take action, they are wrong. If you all want to vex the police burst tear gas then say so, but don’t act like as though they were taking you all’s right to protest peacefully. Plus if it was peaceful protest, you all would have gone home when the time ended. And I was there eh from around 12 to see EVERYTHING.
Post my comment you know admin.
What exactly did they do apart from demonstrating peacefully, you…….? The one that needs throwing in jail is Skerrit and the chief of police for breaching our constitution, i.e. denying us the right to peacefully demonstrate. Thinking about it the likes of you should be thrown in jail as well for kissing the dictators behind on a daily basis. I told you before… you are a very sad individual with totally twisted morals!
You all think you all are intimidating? You all were NOT denied the right to protest. You all were allowed to protest hence the reason why you all was on the road Saturday afternoon. YOU ALL WERE asked to leave at a certain time to which you all did not comply to because again you all are ALWAYS RIGHT AND PEOPLE SHOULD BE INTIMIDATED BY YOU AND LIKE WITH D DAY, YOU ALL CHOSE NOT TO COMPLY TO THE OFFICERS. They gave you all several warnings AGAIN TO WHICH YOU ALL DID NOT ADHERE TO. Given the last “PEACEFUL PROTEST” you all did and did not follow orders in time, the law must handle the situation before it turned like D DAY where you all had innocent civilians hiding for their lives under stalls on Bayfront. Lock back and come back RandyX. Stop playing victim and bully all at once, choose one. Nobody not telling you all not to protest but when it turns into laws and rules not being followed, it turns into an uprising to which the law has to take control.
Those in power and their supporters truly dislike peaceful protestors
Maybe if they’ve listen to the complaints coming from the marginalized groups
there wouldn’t be a need for protests
We are having our own: mouvement des gilets jaunes
Moistest Jheri Curls. What peaceful protest that? The last “peaceful protest” you all had our city almost burn down and innocent people were running for their lives, shooting police officers that didn’t retaliate with the same type of gunfire. Peaceful protest where? Everytime you all have your so-called “peaceful protest you all encouraging your people live to disobey the law. “We shall not be moved” “Go over the time we agreed to” “Block the road so innocent people will not pass to do what they need to” “send stones behind people and have people fearing for their lives” “Skerrit must go by any means necessary”. You all try to intimidate people and cry victim afterward. Claim your nonsense and stop trying to hide under it.
Your hypocrite!!! You know very well the person who acts as though he is above the law …But this is quickly coming to an end.
The protest must continue though..Noone can stop that!
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now
I thought of responding to you a long speech but I realize a copy and paste isn’t worth it. Let me know if you need an umbrella for the hot sun.
A desperate dictator will do anything to remain in power,Skerrit always remember God is in control,and he has plans.You will not remain in power forever,Your using the states money to arm your supporting police force to abuse the people,check history,dictators have always failed.
Look at how Saddam and Ghadaffi end up? Mon Dieu!
No he will not stay there forever. But freedom will come back in before UWP remember the words of Mr. Fresh on this day. And the police officers must protect themselves from UWP protests because everytime they protest, police officers are subjected to some sort of nonsense, if it’s not stone throwing, is guns, or fire. Something. You all incite things and then when it comes to space it being handled and managed is a wolf’s cry. Wolf’s cry is so often tolerated.
No retreat, no surrender. Fair and sensible electoral reforms are the foundation to true democracy. No great accomplishment or feat has ever been achieved without great sacrifice of the ordinary man and woman. Here are just a few examples: Apartheid in South Africa, Civil Rights in the USA, Destruction of the Berlin Wall, Overture of Baby Doc in Haiti and Augusto Pinochet in Chile. Fight on brave soldiers of goodness and justice. Don’t give up now, don’t ever give up. It’s full time now that tyranny and one man’s domination of Dominica must end.
This heavy handed use of force is typical of tyrannical leader who do not want people to speak. The police is supposed to protect the civilians right to protest. Where are the brave lawyers in Dominica to take action against abuse. I did not see anyone rioting, so why is it placards and speeches are met with military gear including batons, automatic riffles and tear gas? There is a very dark cloud hanging over Dominica and it will soon come to impasse. Accidents happening like it is a season, man being murdered high day and spectators laughing because he is a paro and rumored to have kill someone in the past. We recently had gospel concert where our leader use God in his deception while lying to the people. Gov funds used for labour party campaign. People have no respect for law, life, and thier fellow men. Dominica needs deliverance and at this rate if seems lime only one way to do that. Get rid of the cause by any means necessary.
Just hand back Dominica to the UK
Is that stupidity, inexperience or wickedness. How can a suppose to be trained policeman, throw tear gas close to a gas station. Instead of being on the radio every day talking foolishness, Mills should be training his policemen.
I have walked Turkey Lane many times over the years and I have seen the Office and know that there is no gas station in its vicinity. The heavy handed use of Riot Police and tear gas yesterday afternoon does indeed speak, as others have noted, to the behaviour of totalitarian regimes – several of which now provide aid monies to Dominica. Perhaps they are also providing other advice, as well. I presume the CCM did have a demonstration permit (as the police certainly knew where they were) and as such, the police also had an obligation to those citizens to protect and serve them, including traffic management. Which seems to have been derelict yesterday. Shameful behaviour on the part of the government and its organs. Be aware that foreign observers are watching what is happening and one never knows who our friends in high places are.
This is no joke. Grave cause for concern. We need international regional help. Wake up Dominicans we don’t want o get like Cuba and Venezuela
Lofty next time have that protest also when we have a cruise ship in port so we can get maximum exposure for our cause and the police will be too embarrassed to take that kind of action. Tourists will take pictures and show that at home. You have a just cause.
We must let the world know who the Skerrit goons are by their names.. This is bordering on foolishness..We need to get back on the street to demand reform to our voting system,with or without police protection,and this must happen soon .
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now
Backing you upp 1000% But the sad thing is that these people profess to be Christians n remember the big gospel concert they had? They are not Christians at Alll just wolves in sheep clothing.. These neo-pagans who sold their conscience, class, democracy n ethical standards for some corrupt dollars n freeness. Dominicans must take to the social media, put up pictures, write them up, show the whole world what’s going on…. Progress is being made already, but the movement for a better Dominica must invite the BBC, CNN, and international media to come n see…. When PM Skerritt first came in, we had hope but now hope is gone, so time for change…. Thought the police was there to protect n serve… But nooo these ninja turtles, with some used gears oppressing the people. Look at those police, you guys are Dominicans, you guys got families, you guys ain’t shame? What goes around comes around, God is not a police… You Alll don’t respect the people but you guys will respect God. Karma
I agree. It’s time for action. Dominicans need to put on the pressure. Everybody who refuses is not. a Patriot. Patriots can’t tolerate this. It has to stop and Skerrit and his clowns have to go!!
What sort of leader uses tear gas on a peaceful protest? Only dictators this. Dictatorship has taken root in Dominica and growing. If this despicable action is not widely condemned by citizens of all walk of life then next time it might just be live bullets. I’ll repeat this refrain, Skerrit doesn’t care in the least about the wellbeing of Dominicans, not an iota of care. Cheat elections, intimidate and suppress the people, victimize and ostracize the leaders of the opposition, for his singular concern is to hang on to power at all cost. Even if it means tear gassing women and children. Roosevelt Skerrit can now be regarded as a despot. The man is a loose cannon.
I am becoming very concerned about the mood of our Police officers in Dominica as there seems to be a total absence of regular Police Uniformed (black and grey) members showing up on duty at functions and activities in the country. Sometime ago i challenged the Chief of Police to justify the presence of military dressed police officers at a function of the DLP in Portsmouth earlier this year; and why is it that every time there is a protest police officers show up on duty with firearms more specifically M-16 rifles; That is ILLEGAL plain and simple since we are not an armed police force The pictures do not capture what actually transpired on the ground which led to the protesters being teargassed. The questions to be asked (1) was this an unlawful assembly (2) Did the protest escalate into a RIOT; i do not see a baton section of the Riot unit trying to disperse the crowd before the use of teargas and baton rounds. A little high handed my police brothers don’t you think?
I has only just started… You are known by the company you keep. Who are our friends? Venezuela, China, Russia to name a few. People of Dominica, we need to keep praying, this is signs of things to come.
This unwarranted and foolish use of force by this group of police who sold their dignity, soul, and democracy for a few pennies, will not pass away just like dat, the whole world is going to know :caricom, the United nations, friends of Dominica and of course our friend the USA. The world must get to know, the high level of military style Actiions taking place in Dominica. These group of police is over doing it now, but during maria they acted like clowns. Dominicans away n at home let the world know what’s going on… Use Facebook, Internet n other form of social media to expose this military regime n the government boots… The world must know what’s going on and that its not safe in Dominica
I can’t help wondering where were these distinctly over-equipped riot police while our country was being literally raped and pillaged during and after Hurricane Maria? … while criminal elements broke into, looted and destroyed private and commercial property, causing immeasurable more damage than the hurricane itself had wreaked upon us, and set back our recovery by many years? Does that mean that our police only have power over law-abiding citizens seeking a better Dominica and not over the lawless criminals in the land? In other words, are our police only here to facilitate our destruction and not progress? Wake up, my people!
They got the equipment in the ration. Hahaha! The PM equipping the police for something man?
Hello and good morning my people. Well am wondering if it’s safe to come to Dominica for carnival because of a number of incidents involving the police and officers dressed in military uniform. I will have to notify the American State Department whenever I am visiting Dominica. I recently spent a month on the east coast repairing my parents home but it seems like things are changing since we are heading towards election.
DA is not seeing me for a log time. too much nonsense going on. CDOA (COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA ONTARIO ASSOCIATION), NEW YORK , JERSEY, HOUSTON, ETC call your present. What are you all saying about what is happening? You all are quick to call for help with this and that. Now is the time. Guess you are not concerned because your families are not directly affected. Today for me tomorrow for you.
dominica not a real plave
Riot police? for a handful of protestors? how did we reach that stage.
Roosevelt Sherrie, as leader, is the biggest mistake Dominica has made since attaining self rule. The man has a penchant for cozying up to the most powerful dictatorial figures in the world. Everything he touches breaks. When he took leadership of his party and the country, the man had no special skill, talent, experience nor was he known for his intellectual prowess. In fact, when he speaks, he was scoffed at for his incoherence and lack of intuitiveness and intellectual curiosity. He has so far managed to destroy the once striving agricultural and manufacturing industries, to demotivate the talented young sport men and women with the lack of modern sporting facilities, the network of roads and bridges and general infrastructure is of a bygone era. He now resorts to heavily armed police to prop up his regime. The man has been the biggest and most destructive disaster in the history of Dominica. Dominicans, Wise Up!
Ibo,Your comments are pure malapropisms .You are such an inteligent FOOL. You try to use words and phrases to play on the mind of those that hate and jealous of Skerrit; but you shall fail. You and Lennox and the UWP followers are the biggest and most destructive disaster in the history of Dominica. Dominicans are wise enough. Their minds are made up and THEY will make YOU ALL pay come this election… because
Everywhhere Skerrit GO…. Dominicans will follow…. Like you said, the cry of the PEOPLE is the cry of GOD.
KID, do you know what a malapropism is. It is a word beyond your comprehension, a word incorrectly used sounding like the real one, often with a comical effect. . In your case that would be a man, sounding like a kid.
The thriving agriculture industry of which you speak, could not build the adequate infrastructure our send our children to school. Under a thriving agriculture industry we were the poorest country in the region. Your personal attacks on Skeritt won’t change history. L Rose, Geest, CDC and other companies who made mega profits from agriculture in Dominica left long before Skeritt came on the scene.
Fellow Dominicans, please don’t tolerate this intimidation from Skerrit. I hope you all see now where Skerrit is going to go with you and the country. Dictatorship is knocking at Dominica’s door. Do not give in, you need to persist. I’m coming to Dominica and will assist you all. I’m not allowing Skerrit to take my country by force. These Micky mouse policemen won’t intimidate me!!!
Ninja boys itching to try their new toys. Part of Papa Doc-Doc’s new cread.
@Me – Tell these police who seem to have self-esteem issues that is not so they’ll overcome their feelings of inferiority & convince themselves that they are bad. Dressing up like Ninja Robocops and firing tear gas after civil unarmed protestors in Roseau ain’t the way to prove their badness.
If is badman they want to convince themselves that they are, tell them to go on a 3 – 6 months deployment to real badman countries like Iraq, Mexico, Afghanistan or Syria where they can dress up like Ninja Robocops & fire tear gas behind REAL bonafide bad men.
Basically (using Loftie’s term) it ended after the tear gasing?
Basically the protesters will go back to the drawing board King Bobb & basically come again.
Basically it’s just round 1
Basically lofty man, I admire your work but do not use that word like a putty filler brother because it reduce the strength of your message. Hold strong brother.
One thing allu like to smoke eh. Arent there homes and businesses just around there?
Not only that but a petrol station right there and you firing your stuff as if your Christmas present. Idiots.
Those of us in Dominica who believe Dominica is a democracy, might be existing in a delusional state; for the idea of a democratic state is mythical; Dominica as a democracy is only an illusion!
Whereas people are deprived the privilege of demonstrating, and protesting the wrong in the country; simple means we are in a dictatorship; the country is ruled by one man: a dictator Roosevelt Skerrit. The people’s freedom of speech are taken away.
This is a peaceful demonstration, people are standing displaying placards; we do not see any form of rioting, nor anything remotely resemblance of a riot; Roosevelt and Blackmoore, and the barbarian so called chief of police unleashed their riot squad, their China trained puppets, and goons on harmless, defenseless people!
When will the revolution come?
When will 1979 be repeated, it long overdue in this era of Roosevelt Skerrit; this man has caused so much hardship on our people and country, causing more than half native to leave…
Francisco. Demonsrtating is not even a privilege man, it is a right under our constitution.
It is most certainly our constitutional right protest; nevertheless, Roosevelt do not think so.
I wonder if the so called people such as Charles Savarin; the so called AG, the puppet chief of police, the little rat Blackamoor, and even the father of corruption Roosevelt Skerrit ever took time to read the nations constitution.
You know a snake is a reptile, one that is very hard to kill if one do not know how to kill it, when I was a kid I attempted to kill a snake, I kept chopping it from the tail, I chopped three pieces from the tail; the snake still kept running.
Someone saw what was happening, and told me “if you want to kill it aim for the head and chop it off: I did that; when chop the head of that snake did not move one inch!
Get rid of the snake in Dominica politics, and there will be peace and tranquility in our country; progress will return to our nation!
Not too bad, but you guys need gloves.
Dominica may be on a path that is ladened with severe political consequences , like the brewing volcano up Ludua , lava/blood will flow on the streets and Villages of the Island . Some of us never thought that Dominica would be using second hand USA Military equipment to quell their people’ discontent , Dominica , is revisiting a very dark period of her self rule history , the lessons of the past have not been learnt apparent , Investors have told the entire Caribbean leadership , that protesting action while jeopardizing their investments , will not be tolerated . Dominica seems to be dwelling between Natural and Human disasters that only they themselves can change .
Good job Lofty… Because of the growing number of people the police were called upon adnauseam to divert the traffic .They beblatantly refused to do so. So I ask what are their roles??? ,Is it to kill?
We can’t relent,st this stage. We must double,treble,quadruple our efforts….
Intimidation is a no no ..In fact we must begin to push back as hard as we can.
No tear gas will keep me at home while the freedom fighters are fighting!!!
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
Lazy SKerrit Must Go Now
Time for Dominicans to up the ting on them vagabonds
DNO, why don’t you inform your readers as to what CCM stands for?
ADMIN: Concerned Citizens Movement it is in the first line of the story.
When will the oppression of free speech in this country end?
When Skerrit is gone it will end and the country will see better things again. It’s as simple as that.
See these clowns…………
These idiots (the Skerrit illiterate goons in the police force)were surprised to see the massive turnout of people, so they would use everything at their disposal to stop the protest.Listen people,the police are either brainless numskulls to demand that a protest should be next to a petrol station ,with vehicles passing through the crowd of people every minute,something that could cause injury to protesters ..Isn’t the police there to protect the people?Why then are these officers so eager to intimidate peaceful people ..This has strengthened my resolve to fight for my country .I had my first inhalation of teargas,and I am prepared to take more ,plenty more!!!!..
Opposition let’s keep the flames lighting…Think we need a massive public meeting at Lagon Saturday night,eight days after.
The turnout was good and I am ready to put my boots on the ground again as early as tomorrow.
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
Lazy Skerrit Must Go Now
When dictators start losing their grip on power, they turn the military might of the State on their own people. Dominica is truly a galloping dictatorship. Look at Skerrit’s closest friends, they are Russia, China, Venezuela and many totalitarian regimes in the far east. The police is a tool of the nakedly corrupt Leader and his political party. Instead they serve and protect the people, they intimidate, injure and arrest unarmed civilians. The hierarchy of the Police Force is stacked with men made of putty. This action is indicative of a police state. Dominica is steep in political strive and developmental backwardness. Skerrit guards the corrupt electoral system like a lioness guards its cubs. He fully well knows that he and his floundering party don’t stand a chance of winning the next polls once there is a level playing field. No honest, fair-minded person will ever fight tooth and nail against sensible electoral reform. Only corrupt politicians do.
These are not men dressed in costumes of a star wars movies. Theses are police men from the Commonwealth of Dominica, ready to throw tear gas at Dominicans, who were seeking their democratic rights to vote.
These police are weak and morally sick. They’re unlawful and not one of them has a backbone.
It’s not a police force anymore but rather Skerrits private army.