UWP leader Lennox Linton (File photo)
ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) — The main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) says it is planning a demonstration on Tuesday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
Opposition Leader Lennox Linton said the demonstration to be led by the “Patriots of Dominica” will gather in the capital to demand the resignation of the entire government.
“The Patriots are coming to the capital city in recognition of the power in people is greater than the people in power. When the people in power offend the people, when the people in power injure the interest of the people, manage their affairs badly, use the power of the people to enrich themselves…then it is time for power of the people to intervene,” Linton said in a broadcast on his Facebook page.
He said the party” believes that the time has come given all the disgraceful conduct of this administration, shaming the name of Dominica in the international community, it is necessary for the patriots of this country to stand, it is necessary for the power in people to ensure that the good name of Dominica is restored,” Linton said in the 15-minute broadcast.
Prime Minister Skerrit has already instructed his lawyers to pursue legal action against Linton over remarks made in regards to the controversial Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI).
Under the CBI, Dominica like several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries offers foreign investors citizenship in exchange for a significant investment in the socio-economic development of the country.
Last month, Skerrit and the Dominica government denied that the head of government was under investigations in the United States following the arrest of an Iranian national, who had in the past been the holder of a Dominican diplomatic passport.
Social media reports had claimed that an un-named US agency was investigating Skerrit in relation to Iranian Ali Reza Ziba Halat Monfared, who was detained in Iran’s biggest fraud case.
In his broadcast, Linton said that this happening in Dominica is “unacceptable…and we are saying it is time for this government to step down and that will be the call on Tuesday in the capital city.
“We have advised the police that we will be having a meeting in the city…close to the financial centre where the offices of the government are located, where the office of the prime minister is located. These buildings belong to the people…so the people want to come there to make a statement”.
Linton also sought to distance the UWP from other activities planned for Tuesday, saying “any statement suggesting violence, suggesting attacks on peoples’ lives and property, suggesting that anybody should be arrested …is not coming from the United Workers Party.
“These are propaganda tools employed by our opponent to provide excuses and cover for the police to take on supporters and peaceful people who will assemble in Roseau on Tuesday.”
He said that supporters who are coming to ask for the resignation of the government “should not worry, the gathering is going to be peaceful because we are a rule of law people”.