United Workers Party and its history of violence in Dominica

Dominica is a small island country in the Caribbean region with a population as less as 72,000 people. The island recently celebrated 41 years of independence and is moving forward with its general elections on December 6, 2019.

On Tuesday night, Roseau, the capital city of the country, was shaken by violent protests. Protestors mainly concerning with the opposition United Workers Party were demanding implementation of electoral reforms for coming parliamentary elections.

The aggression of objectors was tremendously gigantic that the riot control police had to use tear gases to control the people trying to block the roads leading to the house of Dominican President Charles Savarin. The situation resulted in clashes between the demanders and the police officials.

[caption id="attachment_23654" align="alignleft" width="100%"] Images from February 2017.[/caption]

Nevertheless, United Workers Party is in opposition from almost two decades and have a history of violence on the island. Two years ago on February 7, 2017, UWP members protested in Roseau demanding the removal of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. The protestors went vicious and caused annihilation to the public and private property. Opposers of the DLP ruling government harmed several buildings and shops. Moreover, some shops were also looted by damaging the entry path of the shops.

Dominica, which is known as the ‘Nature Isle’ of the Caribbean, is currently polluted with the bad vibes of political propaganda and desperation of winning the upcoming general elections, where desperate political leaders are trying to ruin the nation for political desires. Ordinary citizens of Dominica are being used as weapons against their own nation.

[caption id="attachment_23656" align="alignleft" width="100%"] Scene on Streets of Capital City in Feb,2017.[/caption]

Protests, however, are an essential part of any democracy. But, unlawful, civil disobedience not only harms the property but also destroys the economic growth of the nation. For instance, Hong Kong is facing protests from a few months now and is now facing the most substandard recession of all times.

Recent protests on this Caribbean nation are likely to impact the tourism industry on the island, which is the primary source of income to the locals. United States embassy, Barbados also issued a travel alert of its citizens planning their trip to Dominica, which will ultimately damage the core revenue of tourism in Dominica.

Clearly, an opposition party which is lacking development plans, goals to boost the economy or infrastructural development is now making its efforts to defame Dominica to win the elections with dirty campaign strategy.