​DPSU General Secretary Thomas Letang calls on the Leadership of the DLP administration to confront its Syrian Foreign Affairs Ministry Counterpart, and officially withdraw from and rescind the Diplomatic Relations established immediately, as Syria needs to meet certain minimum requirements before it can be deemed worthy to have relations with the Commonwealth of Dominica.
 
For most Democratic countries, some major conditions would involve:
1) the complete removal of the terrorist Bashar Al Assad Regime.
2) The adoption of Democratic principles within law, such as the right to protest, Freedom of Information Act, signing onto the UN Charter to uphold integrity within its judicial system and adhere to Globally acceptable human rights guidelines.
 
The Syrian Bashar Hafez al-Assad Regime is Globally labeled as a terrorist Regime, as evidence shows the administration murdered over 500,000 of its citizens, ‘in broad daylight’ for protesting the lack of transparency and accountability within the government. President Bashar Al-Assad committed these war crimes from 2011 to 2018. 

DPSU General Secretary, Thomas Letang.

Dominicans who participated in Wednesday's walk for Peace, left with their heads held high confidently, knowing that they have sent a serious message to the powers that be as well to other Dominicans, that those who stand for democracy are not afraid to stand for what is right.
 
Speaking with Q95 after the walk, Social Activist and Entrepreneur Atherton Martin, revealed that the collective feeling is one of more optimism as they gear towards creating more awareness and social change through these walks of peace. Wednesday is now dubbed as a day to walk for peace.

​Soon after the protest the Prime Minister made a national address announcing that Domlec will now be locally owned. In reaction to this, Martin noted that the Dominican people are facing so many serious issues, that these distractions will have to be in vast numbers in order to blind the masses from the realities that are facing them.

​Social Activist and Entrepreneur, Atherton Martin.

NJAM Chairman & Economist Kent Vital says this race to force everyone to get new passports has many Dominicans concerned, and some suggest that citizens should refuse to pay the fees for the new passport.
Vital weighed in on the issue and shared his professional opinion as to why the sudden rush, and noted the idea of persons refusing to pay for what is deemed to be unjust.

NJAM Chairman & Economist, Kent Vital.

On March 30, 2022, Dominica’s Government announced its purchase of 52% of DOMLEC’s share, thereby making the Utility a complete Dominican owned corporation. Addressing the nation, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said his DLP government recognizes the vulnerability of the island to severe weather events brought about by climate change, and his administration will seek to enhance the system for generation, transmission and distribution of affordable and sustainable energy.

The Prime Minister also attempted to set expectations, by informing the population that they will see a reduction in the cost of Electricity in Dominica, but stated that this will not happen immediately.

Prime Minister, Hon Roosevelt Skerrit.

CCM Vice President Earl Bruno encourages Dominicans to muster the courage displayed by the citizens of Ukraine, to peacefullystand up and fight for their rights at all times.
 
He referenced the citizens of Ukraine, who have taken up arms in solidarity with their military personnel, to fight off the unprovoked invasion of their country by the dictatorial regime of Russia’s Vladimir Putin and its Military.
 
Bruno apprises Dominicans to know their rights as citizens of the land, and exercise these rights to ensure they enjoy life, and experience governance that is free and fair.

Vice President of the CCM, Earl Bruno.

In a rare show of Unity, two political parties, to include the Dominica Freedom Party & the United Workers Party, have united under a common cause with the National Joint Action Movement on March 30th 2022, to create and publish a joint press statement, exposing the Chief of Police as politically biased, publicly scolding him for ‘going to far this time’ in efforts to pressurize Dominicans who want to publicly express their concerns.This as in recent years, the human capacity of the Police has been ridiculously stretched and overworked, to intimidate people who attend peaceful protest events organized by civil society or political parties. In most cases, police men are ‘armed to the teeth’ with weapons to attack their fellow citizens, if they suspect foul play during a protest or march.
 
But things took a turn, when Dominica’s current Chief of Police, Daniel Carbon announced that persons would have to literally apply to him (Carbon), for permission to walk in Roseau. This Statement unfortunately for Carbon has sparked Regional Outrage across the Caribbean. This was as a result of local Social Activist and Former Minister of Agriculture, Atherton Martin, organizing a walk for ‘Peace, Prosperity & Freedom in the capital today. In their joint statement, the grouping says “this statement by the Police Chief is intimidating, and geared towards stifling the freedom and independence of Dominican citizens to freely and lawfully move about in the country, without undue interference from law enforcement.” It continues “ The call is made to the Chief of Police to refrain from making prejudicial, inflammatory, discriminative and politically biased statements  that are anathema to the Rule of Law, good governance & Peace.” Meanwhile, Opposition leader Lennox Linton expressed solidarity with the initiative, stating the people will not be intimidated by law enforcement. He asked persons to join the walk.

​Leader of the Opposition Lennox Linton.

​DPSU General Secretary, Thomas Letang, says the situation at the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School is sensitive, as the Dominica Association of Teachers is the Primary union to appease the grievances of the majority of the staff at the ITSS.
 
Letang also revealed that the DPSU extends full solidarity with the teachers protesting the unjust actions of the Ministry of Education, to officially appoint Kendra Roberts, who was placed unofficially, as Acting Deputy Principal for the past 6 years, and then recently was about to be demoted and transferred, despite her exceptional performance and effectiveness as a facilitator & as Ag deputy principal of the institution.

Letang described the lack of recommendations on Ms Roberts’ behalf by the Public Service Commission, as unfair.

​DPSU General Secretary, Thomas Letang.

​Dominicans walk for Democracy today Wednesday March 30, 2022, appears to have conveyed a message that the people may be getting ready to overcome their fears and speak truth to power. This stemmed from a call for a peaceful walk by Social Activist and former Agriculture Minister Atherton Martin, where the color white was seen as a color of democracy, peace and change.
 
Speaking with Q95 this Morning, on the ground, Martin highlighted the importance of the walk and how the younger generation needs to stand up for their rights.The walk is symbolic despite claims from the powers that be,that police had to give permission for any such walk in Dominica.Today’s walk proceeded without incident and law enforcement did not interfere. It appears that more walks for democracy may take place inthe coming Wednesdays.

Social Activist and former Agriculture minister Atherton Martin.
 
Many voices were heard this morning, and are still being heard in the call for democracy.Here are a few of these voices.

​As the crowd increased modestly, Dominicans witnessed the possible making of a stand for what they believe is the right side of history.

The fast pace at which E-passports are being made, and the cost of those passports, may be a clear indication of the DLP government’s priorities versusVoter ID Cards. DFP executive member and owner of CariFeed Jeff Bellot says the numbers don’t lie.He sought to provide statistics and a rationale as to the cost of Voter ID cards andthat of passports, andshowed the stark contrast in producing the two documents.

He says six months is more than enough time to provide such a service to the general public; something that has been promised to the Dominican populace since the last general election in 2019.

​DFP Executive Member and Owner of Carifeed, Jeff Bellot.

Prime Minister & Minister of Finance, Roosevelt Skerrit, addressed the nation on March 30, 2022, announcing that his government has concluded negotiations with the management of Emera Inc, and has purchased its 52% stake in DOMLEC, leaving 21% ownership to the Dominica Social Security and 20% to Private Dominican Investors.
 
He added, this interest in the ownership of DOMLEC, is predicated on thefirm belief that Dominican citizens are better served when the country’smain utilities, such as water and electricity, are in the hands ofthe State. The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica will on March 31, 2022, sign the agreement with Emera Inc.

The DFP Government of Dame Mary Eugenia Charles acquired majority shares in DOMLEC between 1983-1993 from the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC). DOMLEC.DOMLEC was expanded and brought to profitability, and was later sold back to CDC in 1997, by the United Workers Party Government. 72% of DOMLEC’s shares were sold for $21.0 million.
 
The majority share ownership of DOMLEC changed twice since 1997.On both occasions these shares were owned by foreign companies—with the most recent being Light & Power Holdings Ltd. (LPH) of Barbados, a majority-owned subsidiary of Emera Inc.Prime Minister Skerrit says this current move bolsters efforts to transform Dominica’s Energy Sector to Green Energy by 2030. 

​Prime Minister & Minister of Finance, Hon Roosevelt Skerrit.