Marigot, Dominica (TDN)
On the eve of planned protest action in Marigot, Dominica scores of Police officers have been deployed across the North East farming community.
Organizers of the protest action, which has been called to voice concerns over the shutdown of the lone area hospital, say Police were seen in the area overnight.
Residents are incensed over a government decision not to rehabilitate the hospital, which also serves the main airport in Melville Hall.
Just days ago, Commissioner of Police Daniel Carbon took to the airwaves to warn potential demonstrators that “he would not allow the mistake of May 29, 1979 to be repeated.” This an apparent reference to massive street protests that led to the eventual downfall of the Dominica Labour Party government of prime minister Patrick John.
He also vowed to do everything within his power to protect the interest of the State claiming that people were calling the radio stations in an effort to incite violence.
Leader of the Opposition Lennox Linton who is also the parliamentary representative for the area 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 wide geographic area as well as the airport.
There is much concern on the Island that in the event of any mass casualty incident in the area that the only resort will be to access health facilities in Roseau, which is an hour’s drive away.
Protestors plan to meet in Marigot at 6:30 P.M on Thursday before proceeding to the Melville Hall airport and staging an all-night candle light vigil in the area. The protest is aimed at getting government to rebuild the local hospital.
Just over a year ago Carbon ordered his Police officers to fire live bullets and expired tear gas, in clear violation of international conventions, on Salisbury protestors who were engaged in drawing attention to the neglect of their farm access roads.
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