Police deployed in Marigot, Dominican Republic as protests loom

go through Time Domain Network Wireline staff
June 16, 2016 at 10:37 AM

Police Commissioner Carbone vowed to protect national interests.

Marigot, Dominica (TDN)
Dominica has deployed dozens of police officers to the northeastern farming community ahead of a planned protest in Marigot. Organisers of the protest said they had been called to express concern about the closure of the region’s only hospital and said police were present in the area overnight. Residents are angry at the government’s decision not to rebuild the hospital, which also serves the main airport at Melville Hall. Just days earlier, Police Commissioner Daniel Carbone warned potential demonstrators on the radio that he would “not allow the mistakes of May 29, 1979 to be repeated.” This was an apparent reference to the massive street protests that led to the eventual fall of the Dominican Labour Party government led by Prime Minister Patrick John. He also vowed to do everything to protect the country’s interests, claiming people called the radio station to incite violence. Opposition Leader Lennox Linton, who also represents the region in parliament, said it was important to protest against the government’s neglect of the constituency. He was particularly concerned about the neglect of the hospital, which serves a large area and the airport. People on the island are very worried that if there is a mass casualty event in the area, the only way to get there is to go to a medical facility in Roseau, an hour’s drive away. Protesters plan to meet in Marigot at 6:30 p.m. Thursday before heading to Melville Hall Airport for an overnight candlelight vigil in the area, aimed at prompting the government to rebuild the local hospital.

Just over a year ago, Carbone ordered his police to fire live ammunition and tear gas at protesters in Salisbury, in clear violation of international conventions, as the protesters were calling attention to the neglect of farm access roads.