Opposition Leader, Lennox Linton, has responded to statements made by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit during an address to the nation on Tuesday, in which he blamed the United Workers Party (UWP) for protest actions which took place in the City of Roseau on Monday night.
Videos circulated on social media showing the actions of some protestors in Roseau, uprooting plants, blocking the roads, burning garbage, and some even spreading garbage on the streets. There was also an incident of direct confrontation with the police when barricades which the law enforcers had put up, were removed.
However, Linton said at a UWP news conference on Tuesday afternoon, the UWP is not directing any protest action and the incident on Monday night in Roseau was instigated by the police.
According to him, the young people of Dominica are protesting to secure free and fair elections with integrity as the backbone of government of the people, by the people, for the people.
“I want to be clear this afternoon that the incident in the evening of November 18, 2019 was instigated by members of the police squad,” he said.
He continued, “It was not the protesters but the police, that interrupted the flow of traffic to the entire south of the island, because of the directive from higher authority that the people should be prevented at gunpoint from having an audience with the president, the key guardian of the constitution.”
Linton believes it’s the dispensing of tear gas canisters against persons who carried only placards, that was an act of violence.
He also accused Skerrit of being “violently in breach” of the oath of office of which he swore to serve without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
“And that, in the execution of the functions of the office of Prime Minister, he will honour, uphold and preserve the constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica without favour to himself and ill will to the people of Dominica,” The opposition leader remarked.
“Mr. Skerrit has violently attacked the people’s right to free and fair elections and he is unrelentingly assaulting the constitution of the rule of law and good governance in our nation,” Linton contended.
He said the UWP stands firmly with the people of Dominica, protesting, standing for their rights and insisting on electoral reform.
“These protest actions did not fall from the sky; they are not being pursued by aliens. The people involved are Dominicans, Dominican human beings with rights…,” The UWP leader stated.
A leader always take responsibility for the folly of his people, this is one characteristic of leadership i do not see in you sir.
People, tend to react to the impulses of their leader. they remain gullible. they tend to obey orders so instructed by their leader.
This is the second attack on the capital and yet again you blame the police.
You need to be reminded of the functions of the police.
Maintaining lay and order is one of them besides the prevention of crime. where a crime if executed the very same police needs to detect and investigate before bringing the per to justice.
There is freedom of expression and violence but you need to check to see if freedom is guaranteed after violence
Yes, blame it on the police after you called for civil unrest. You (Lennox) should be apologizing to the people of Dominica for the violence you and your party delivered to Dominicans. This UWP is a violent party, with violent intent they blocked the road at Pagua to prevent Labour party motorcade from passing, in February of 2017 this party set fire to certain business places in Roseau and vandalized others in their selfish quest to remove Roosevelt Skerrit from office. This party blocked the road at Salisbury to hinder the free flow of traffic, when the police came to clear the road they were stoned by UWP supporters. This UWP is just a wicked selfish and violent party.
Leader of the opposition you are an angry person. Why are you son angry? Why are you dispelling this anger on Dominicans? Has this originated in you from childhood? What has made you become this way that you think in order to solve any problems that one has to be viled and high tempered. Opposition leader this is our country stop trying to tore it apart. Dominicans! Registered voters! What do you want for our Dominica? A vote is a big deal! A great decision! Becareful. One love and peace.
This Opposition leader is a piranha very dangerous to a great degree ugly and a notorious liar along with his so-called Workers clowns and idiotic supporters like robots put crap in their heads they’ll do and say as commanded to. If this guy can stand up and say “police responsible for incident during electoral reform protest” then something is terrible wrong with that so-called Workers clown leader he has a lot of guts or really stupid. Dominicans in Dominica and around the world look at what we have got to put up with day and night in our small island a dam idiot and his criminals destroying and burning the place down.
I am shocked that people support skerritt. Even with all the obvious irregularities and mismanagement. The dominican economy is stagnant.
It’s the police who first took their batons and started to hit the protesters. It’s the police who shut teargas at the protesters and innocent tourist having their dinner at fort young hotel and old stone. The police must be held accountable.
shrewd did u see the video. Now alone they hit with baton? Tear gas was after they tried to storm the baricades. They were never teargassed before all over Roseau. It was night so they thought they could throw down the baricade with their mob crowd. A good thing someone is always taking videos. Look at the video and see the crowd trying to overpower the police. What should the Police do? Run and let them do what they want? The people who encourage demonstrations, war, in their words, those who blame everyone for what they do wrong like you too. Where is common sense. Those who call them to protest and those who called for civil disobedience are the ones to be held accountable. There are no reasons for all those foolish things happenning. Election is on the 6th of December, 2019. Do not use smoke screen election reform, ID cards to stir up trouble. Tell the truth why the process stopped. Who put injunction? Think 4 yourself people.
In Chapter 2 of Dominica’s Constitution, #24, a to f tells us the reasons why a president may be removed from ofice. Mr. Savain guilty for a few of these already.
Mr. Linton and the UWP sorry I have not read the article but like I said before – YOU ALL HAVE DISCREDITTED YOU ALL SELVES.
No on in their right mind should be in support of the United Workers Party following the events which took place recently. I had no doubt in the mind that you all were ANTI DOMINICANS. Remember those who began eradicating their people began like this “A PEOPLE FOR CHANGE”. Unfortunately you all’s mission have changed and you all have deteriorated into a group well GANG of barbarians.
The UWP you all have ZERO STRATEGY – therefore you have to resort to aligning you all selves with individuals who are known to engage in political unrest WORLDWIDE. MONEY AGAIN – the exact thing you all are accusing the DLP of you all are busy doing the same SHIT.
Accusing others of “SELLING” -you all have successfully SOLD your own citizens. You have NO IDEA the grounds you all have trod and is treading.
SEE WHAT DESPERATION DOES?
WHOSOEVER DIGGETH A PIT…
I wonder how Linton would deal with lawlessness should he become the PM–but God forbid this!
The man is either embracing uncivilized conducts or blaming it on the Police, claiming that they instigated the minds of the people who were simply carrying placads–that too is a lie
He did the same for the outcome of February 07, 2017; even if he claimed it would be a D-Day in Dominica, Fontaine announced that they were going to shut down the country–I do not forget things which I hear or read with my two eyes
But by God’s Will PM Skerrit was prompted about their plan, and when they were caught with their pants down, they denied the responsibility for the lawlessness that took place on that night
If they think that they are going to try it again and get through, they better think again. Because the majority of us, are the soldiers of God, who know how to call to Him, for peace, unity, and protection from the wickedness and evil that is threatening us
He would not tolerate lawlessness in the way Skerrit does. Skerrits followers can’t do any wrong but opposition supporters are constantly persecuted! You are a hypocrite, remember YOUR PM saying: no law and constitution… HYPOCRITES!!!
LENNOX and the UWP are always attacking the police.Some of these police are so SLACK the cannot see the THREAT posed to them by UWP.Some of them following the UWP cannot prepare a CASE FILE.Condoning LAWLESSNESS.
Is this really the person some people especially police officers want to elect for change in Dominica. It is clear that Lennox linton and the entire UWP TEAM doesn’t like police. If Lennox linton was the chief of police or the Prime Minister would he sit ideally and allow a mob of labour protesters to enter the compound of the president to protest for anything what so ever? Is this a he a democracy Lennox linton is preaching? Is that what democracy is ?to do what ever ppl feel like with no regard for law and order? Well again the police chief and his high ranking officers are JACKS because I would have organize the riot squad in such a way that the next time linton send his protesters to challenge the police and throw down barriers their blood would linger on his conscience for the rest of his life. As far as linton is concern there is nothing good about the police force . What were the officers expected to do on the night in question BOZO?
Electoral poll:
Let’s do this.
Labour – Thumbs Up
UWP – Thumbs Down
Protestors in Roseau, uprooting plants, blocking the roads, burning garbage,– even spreading garbage on the streets. –an incident of direct confrontation with the police when barricades which the law enforcers had put up, were removed”.
Linton, do you accept all of this above as civilized conducts, or are you removing yourself from that despicable behavior, to blame it on the Police. Where does this blame come from based on what I have listed above?
It is you that is instigation violence in the people’s mind, and when they re-act you remove yourself from it to blame someone else.
You are talking “peaceful”, a conduct, which cannot happen in a demonstration, whatever for.
You have been advocating “election reform” since five years ago, now you blame the police for the conduct of your followers, denying responsibility for those conducts.
Man, nothing is real about you, how can you desire to rule over a people of sound mind and good character
Skerrit really needs to go because he has D/a going backwards, but unfortunately Linton isn’t the best person to replace him. He’s just hungry for power and hasn’t told Dominicans what actual changes and improvements he’ll bring if elected. All I’m hearing is “corruption this, corruption that”…What about fixing the economy, bringing in investors, fixing the healthcare system, etc?
D/ca’s needs a whole leadership purge and replaced with actual visionaries and qualified people in order to at least catch up with some of it’s neighbors and go even further.
I wonder why UWP is taking part in an election they know is going to be stolen? If you say the system is CORRUPT and you are taking part in a CORRUPT system.Who is CORRUPT, YOU or the SYSTEM?
This is the reason why ur party is going to lost this election so bad rather than showing remorse for what u an ur supporters did coming an put the blame on the police shame on u sir I hope on the 7of December u will let ur supporters know that u r responsible for the big defect u guys r going to get
Lennox you all went to be nominated and you are still calling for reform.. You and your candidates never condemn the violence because it was planned. You have people’s children doing you dangerous acts and when they get into trouble you denied them.
Linton everytime you speak you are sounding more foolish. Where in this world that protestors are allowed to go to the president residence in the night? OPn what plannet are you leaving ? so it is ok for the protesters to remove the police baricade and push the police aside. You are actually blaminmg the police for your thugs scattering gabbage along the city and lighting fire in the city, You mr linton have no respect for authority. The same police officers who will be charged with protecting you if you are to become the prime minister. The police was just supposed to stand there and let the protesters walk over them. Get real Dominicans you really want this bathoon as your leader.
How can a right thinking person not see Lennox Linton for the arrogant fool that he is? You’re the opposition leader and instead of condemning the acts of violence you are blaming the police officers for starting the violence…We saw the videos and all the police tried to do was protect the entrance to the state house and fort young hotel where there were numerous guests that night. you could have used the other road to get to newtown -on constitutional hill then onto the cemetery area but your supporters thought they would get their way and when they didn’t, pulled down the barriers which the police tried to secure. You are causing more harm than good to your party and your supporters are loosing confidence and trust in you.
Unfortunately, Mr. Linton, I disagree. The trouble on the evening of the 18th had its genesis long before. It was not the police nor the UWP who did not agree to the advice for electoral reform; It was not the police nor UWP who tried to disenfranchise voters. It was not the police nor the UWP who ignored the various petitions presented to the president.
The disturbance was engineered by Dr. Skerritt and his president, Mr. Savarin, who are refusing the people’s rights for a free and fair election. The people are not asking for much, just a sanitized voters list and voter ID cards. Surely that is a bare minimum and reflects the desire of the people to compromise. So the finger-pointing by both Dr. Skerritt and Mr. Linton reveals a deeper problem that neither has understood its genesis.
It is only when men and women straighten their backs up they are going somewhere because a man can only ride your back when it is bent. So let’s go forth together with great readiness, let us…
Mr. Arrogant Ignorant Novice, Remember you are the who said that there WILL be CIVIL UNREST and DISOBEDIENCE in the entire country if YOU and the UWP don’t get what you ALL want before elections.
I strongly believe the throwing of tear gas was instructed by Skerrit as a way of getting the protesters to react so that the UWP will get a bad name.
There is an old saying what goes around comes around and history have a way of repeating itself. So when Politicians makes senseless and reckless comments in support of clearly ignorance behavior. It’s clearly demonstrated the poor quality of character of that Politician. True qualities of a leader is where he stands when it’s convenient but where he stands when it’s difficult time.
@cd, how foolish!
What blame does PM Skerrit has to incur on the UWP; they are incurring much of the blaming on their own self. And yet they blame everyone else for their own predicament; just as you have done here.
Cd, you are not ready yet get back to your cradle mama will soon give you your breastfeed 🤣🤣🤣🤣
The question of electoral reform seems to be a major issue for some persons going into the upcoming general elections on Dec. 6. As an outsider trying to understand the rational for continuous calls and demonstrations for electoral reform particularly on the eve of an election, knowing that the process is costly and time consuming.
Therefore, is it a case where the opposition parties and groups are quite not ready and need more time to put their house in order? Secondly, I would ask if the current electoral system denies anyone from voting for their desired candidate? If the latter is true then your call for electoral reform is certainly justified but is this is not the case then all this noise is just a distraction.
There is another simple solution. Just like the $25,000,00 promised to Dominicans when they form the next government, the Opposition can take immediate steps to reform the electoral process.
This seems to be cheap and deceptive politics, and I would tread…
Alvin Jarvis
I think you are deliberately overlooking the fact that these requests for political reform did not surface yesterday , the day before , or last week . The Government ” the Prime Minister ” had ample time and resources to do the right thing , for younkx now . he stubbornly refused to facilitate the process , so no need now for anyone to think this has just dropped out of the sky . If he wanted IDs and a cleaned list that would have been done months and months ago .
As a young voter, I honestly can’t support Lennox Linton to be the next leader of the Commonwealth of Dominica. I am not a fan of the present government neither but as long as Lennox is the leader of opposition I shall not vote. # get this idiot out of here.
Well best you leave Skerrit there and continue sucking salt.
He is an idiot and very dangerous with the things he says.
Yes Lennox, we all know that the protests did not fall from the sky. It is all part of you and your party’s strategy to cause as much mayhem as possible and have your operatives video it and circulate on social media to give the impression that the rule of law has broken down in Dominica. By doing so, you are hoping to get sympathy from outside so when you lose the election you will say election was not free and fair. It is amazing how you were praising the Police last week when they were marching but this week you are calling them Skerrit’s henchmen. Lennox, democracy comes with responsibility and you and your party should man-up and take responsibility for your actions. Don’t blame it on the Police, Young people or anyone else. The Police have every right to protect the residence of the President. You are despicable!
What an arrogant “know it all wanna be PM”. LL supporting anything now is putting you in jeopardy. Call your supporters to stop this foolish protest yes I say foolish because they are violent – (taking out baricade; putting fire; burning election posters etc, Yes they can protest peacefully etc but now you agreeing with all they do (foolish things) blaming the police. LL call them and tell them to be peaceful. You are also confusing persons; Election reform, No election without reform, ID cards yet u go nominate. What is wrong with you is you do not take advice. You seem to be attracting persons who do not think for themselves. If you say go they go. If you say moo, they moo too. Partner seat down, strategise. We are fed up of the same usual stories – walk outs, protests, no suggestions. Stuck record thing like % (your main supporter). Seek God’s face partner b4 it is too late. Let Jesus direct u. Go have a personal relationship with him so he can direct your…
Truth be told…sh..t. If you directing Linton to find Jesus, have you found him yourself? Because by their fruits you shall know them. Why haven’t you called out all the wickedness and evil going on in the DLP? its makes me wonder why…so called Christian.
@bayfront, shut your mouth up!
You know nothing about God, otherwise, you would not be trapped in so much darkness. Because everything about God is LIght.
Do you really see anything “fruitful or productive in the attitude and conduct of those people in question?
Otherwise, why is Lennox denying the responsibility for their works, and blaming the Police, instead of receiving them in great glory?
What are the wickedness and evil that you see in the works of PM Skerrit and his governing body–especially these past 5 years?
“By their fruits, you shall know them”. But how can you see the fruits when you are blinded by darkness?
You don’t know the relationship of Christians with Jesus, you need to be quiet about it.
Agreed… The route of the problem is the lack of electoral reform and the arrogance of Roosevelt Skerrit
Sad to say, it is going to be real bad in Dominica, and it will be all the fault of that hard head skerritt, brace for civil war, this man has to opportunity to have electoral reform but he refuse, knowing his reasons why, the result will be on his hands, and he will be held responsible for that.
@DA STRONG, I don’t know why you have 10 positive thumbs at this moment, but that comment of yours is out of order, you see!
“This man “has to opportunity to have electoral reform but he refuse, knowing his reasons why, the result will be on his hands, and he will be held responsible for that”.
What is that quote above? What did you really want to say? Whatever the thought that was in your mind if ever you had one at all, I don’t you knew how to write it down, nuh!
You are so gutless and with no values or standards. If that was anywhere else you would be singing a different tune. Where are your balls? do you and your brother think it’s ok to break the law! Lenox, your low self esteem and your failure to denounce act of violence, vandalism and terrorism is devaluating our nation.
On Sunday night when the Salisbury, GrandBay, Roseau River, along with the St. Joe crew met in St. Joe. You Lenox carefully inarticulated your strategy, again it failed. It shows that Skerrit is always one step ahead of you. You don’t have the intellectualism to keep up with Skerrit strategy. Your goal in reaching the critical destination was flawed. That wasn’t no demonstration, again you are the leader who cannot get nothing accomplished. Poor % and views expressed. If you cannot plan and execute to be successful, then how can you lead a nation with people of all different personalities.
You are definitely right, Mr. Linton is too polite to counterattack the evil strategies that Skerrit executes. UWP people too nice. I don’t know how they expect to win an election by being so nice.
We don’t have electoral reform, Ross left and the Portsmouth people sucking salt, all the top artists coming to Dominica whereas the local artist cant buy sugar, millions and millions of dollars in a campaign, and the list goes on just to steal an election.
This Lenox is just a pure waste of time.
Who would have such an idiot as a prime minister
Skerrit is desperate and is a loose canon ball.
I think you mistaking Linton for skerrit there pardna. Linton is the one inciting his followers to go on the streets to commit acts of violence. Whereas, skerrit on the other hand organising a faith gathering to give people time to clear their heads and reflect, so whose the Loose-Cannon?
“Whereas, Skerrit, on the other hand, organizing a faith gathering to give people time to clear their heads and reflect”
@Eagle-Eyed, I like that! You spoke the thought of my mind
As a woman of faith, I can see it in PM Skerrit and Lady Melissa, in all their works and movement. I have no doubt that God is pleased with those two people.
I don’t know who influenced the other, but they both are a couple of God and I won’t accept anything different about them
Linton goes on World media telling the populace that “disrespect” and “disobedience” “inspired” his mind. Now he condones to the lawless behavior of his followers blaming it on the Police.
What kind of character is that of a man who wants to be the primary leader of our Nation– I will never understand.
jamie who is a loose canon ball? Who calls others to demonstrate and when it backfires takes out himself and blame the youths? jaime (small j) are you a youth? loose canon ball is one who cannot make up his mind about anything. No election with reform or id cards. Who wants to stop all progressive things in DA. Who confuses even u jamie. Who has been saying the same thing over and over aging. Same strategy for 10 years now? jamie pls stop and close your eyes think again what has this man achieved so far? nothing! What has happenned and u can say is because of him? Nothing! What has he done but only oppose for oppose sake. He has never put foward a proposal for development. All he, you (jamie), viewsexpressed, % and all of u who hate 4 no reason just do is bring down Dominica on CNN, Media, social otherwise. I have asked u time again if u are in Dominica? Because if u were, you would not speak so unless you are one who just repeats with no facts. a non thinker, repeater
@Jamie, you are a joke go put your panty on!! 🙊
Well put, well said Hon Linton. From what I am reading it appears some people or agents of the government wish to see or instigate confrontation from a very quiet, peaceful, honest protest in ur city Roseau that marks our rights to protests and hold this failed nept, corrupt Labour government to its weaknesses and poor governance. This is what Hon. Linton said, that we all concur with:
“Opposition leader says police responsible for incident during electoral reform protest Monday night”
We desperately need change in Dominica and this sitting failed corrupt Labour government has failed us and our Dominica, we need Skerrit and his failed Labour government out of our states business.
We need decent government in our Dominica and failed, immature Skerrit must go with his failed incompetent Labour Government.
Linton your ignorance is to another level. So now you are telling me the police officers in Dominica all vote for the Dominica Labor Party? How can you blame police officers for people trying to destroy the capital of Dominica. You need to really grow up and stop using your people to do your dirty work. Election is December 6th 2019 so wait like everyone else to cast your ballot. Since you took over as leader of the party you have done nothing but focus on violence. This is not the Dominica we want with you are PM or as opposition leader. I voted UWP twice already I just cannot bring myself to grip to vote for Linton again. Dominicans would give uwp another chance but they don’t want Linton, so wake up and smell the coffee. Linton is a troublemaker that uses Skerrit as an excuse for his short comings.
this fool right here. Am exhausted. he need a cool out.
This is why you so exhausted, you got too much cool out. Very soon we will have transparency and accountability with the country funds.
Whatever Mr Linton saying is truth 💯 💯
You real Crip! See what the Crips and UWP doing to our beloved country! Destroying instead of building up! Violent, obeahish, walking round a statue 7 times to invoke evil spirits, sleeping in the same place night after night (cenotaph by Fort Young Hotel), Leader blaming someone for the violence he called for. Saying boldfacely that he supports violence & disrespect. Blaming the youth! Youth wake up. Many now attend the Colleges etc & I can see they can think for themselves, have ears & eyes. Crips and UWP please stop this nonsense now. Think of advancing Dominica the Nature Isle of the Caribbean. Your actions does triple harm 2 persons who have to feed the people. You think of only mishief not realising that is your own family, bros, sis u are affecting in their daily livelihod. Where is common sense in all of this? You know all u do is lose support lets say u were 2 b given a chance. , Loosers behave as you & your cohorts do. Find your common sense people! Alas God have mercy