Dominica is an English speaking parliamentary democracy in the Caribbean and part of the British Commonwealth. Just a few year ago the Dominican and Caribbean community in Washington, DC had occasion to host the then Dominican-born British Attorney General, Baroness Patricia Scotland of Ashtal at the tribute called Caribbean Glory: A salute to the British West Indians who served in the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force.
The Dominica Academy of Arts & Sciences President Dr. Clayton Shillingford gave her an award for excellence in public service and for having brought honor on her land of birth and all Dominicans and Caribbean people, by her achievements.
Among us today are many distinguished Dominicans who had parents or family members in service during World War II. Among them Edison James, Simpson Gregoire, Atherton Martin, Carol Severin, the Ferreira’s of St. Joseph, the Burton Family of Roseau, Swinburne Lestrade, Derek Angol and others.
Today a few of those who so bravely served are alive; Mr. Cletus Angol, Star Lestrade and GON Emmanuel among them. Why is this important? This is important because World War II was essentially a battle to save the democracies from fascism; racial prejudice and conquest as represented by Adolf Hitler.
Dominicans were in that cause on the side of right and many gave their lives. Today, the information we have is that our government appointed someone who they should have known was a Nazi to be ambassador to Ireland.
No due diligence was done. That is lawless, reckless and anti-democratic. It is a disgrace and an insult to our noble heritage and our heroes who went on before.
We believe that our failure to secure our democracy on Dominica is primarily due to the sad lack of knowledge of that noble tradition. And the deterioration into lawlessness, and of those principles and values we hold most dear.
That lack of self knowledge of our past, removes from the national consciousness that sense of direction and purpose.
If on our radio, television and other media, we hear nothing of the struggles for democracy by those who resisted slavery such as Balla, Jaco and Congoree.
We hear nothing of those who fought for representative government in the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s such as Cecile Rawle, JB Charles, Clifton Dupigny, Ralph and Nichols.
If we do not know of the role of Elma Napier, Phyllis Shand Alfrey and Emmanuel Loblack in promoting a culture of citizen participation in government and social justice; If we forget the modesty and integrity of Leblanc; If we forget the promise of independence in 1978 and those who crafted our constitution, then we are lost.
Our effort is to make of this cause to protection of our constitution, a teachable moment. We shall pursue all means of media and forums to educate our people and engage in reasoned discussion and debate on that which ails the nation.
It is by such reasoned and respectful dialogue we shall overcome this sad state of affairs where the Prime Minister states boldly: That no law and no constitution can stop him from running for office.
Such disregard for law and order is deplorable and has sent a chilling message. Where a head of government can engage in such irresponsible use of language, then criminal conduct cannot be arrested and crime escalates in our once peaceful land.
And it is for that reason, in light of the increasing disregard to our constitution, the disrespect for law and order in high and low places, the calls to shut down businesses such as Q95 whose owners criticize government that we have to admit that our democracy is under threat.
Today we ask for your support. We shall need funds to:
a. To promote the appeal to the decision by Gertel Thom in recent case of election eligibility;
b. To assist the defense of Dominican Patriot Dr. Fontaine who is being sued by the Prime Minister after he exposed the sale of passport and appointment of crooks;
c. To publish a booklet on our constitution and our principles, to so educate Dominicans about our constitution; that every Dominican shall have a copy of the supreme law of the land in their homes and commentary to go with it. ; and
d. To promote democracy and rule of law values on Dominica.
This call is to those in government and those outside government. This is not a call by a political party – for we are not that. When we defend the constitution and lawful behavior, we defend all Dominicans – including responsible and lawful government action.
We are a group of concerned Dominicans, some of whom who have been associated with the Labour Party and still are; others who have been associated with the Freedom Party and the UWP – and others who have no partisan axe to grind.
We have all come together because our government has rejected dialogue in so many areas:
1. The Prime Minister is yet to admit or deny whether he has a passport;
2. The Prime Minister is yet to halt the sale of passports and the appointment of the unscrupulous as diplomats – the diplomats of shame, Nazi and multiple crooks;
3. The Prime Minister has never sat down and gone through the MOU with China to let us truly know what he has done with them. We want mutual respect and balance between Dominica and China; we want cooperation with all nations, not domination;
4. The Prime and his regime has done nothing to address the increasing marginalization of our people in banking, industry, energy, and commerce to the point where our own people are becoming second class citizens in their own land;
5. Our current government – and that includes the cabinet – has done nothing to fairly, responsibly and using a professional approach to investigating the GON Emmanuel fire, the Villa issue, the Susan Oldie passport controversy, the Bin Purchase Scandal and other matters in national controversy. All these matters could have been resolved by the appointment of a commission of inquiry.
Commissions of inquiry – where pursued with diligence and integrity – are traditional tool of our democracy to right maters which have gone wrong. We will support the call for a commission of inquiry into all matters of corruption in public office. We ask our government, what do you have to hide?
Finally, we ask those who are listening, or those who receive this message, that where you can spend 0 on a Calypso show or Creole Festival, or 0 on a pair of jeans, or a shoe, then you can spend 0 to secure your country’s future.
Democracy is only maintained where we have an enlightened citizenry; an organized community, equipped and so able to advocate for good governance and rule of law.
Where we are disorganized, or unable or unwilling to secure our country and its democratic future, it shall be taken away from us. We ask you now, Dominicans at home and abroad: Defend your country; defend your democracy.
Let us build a broad democratic front to demand that our government respects us and acts in the national interest at all times.
Please use your computer, make a pledge; make a contribution. We call on you at home and abroad to act. You have nothing to lose where you stand for what is right, lawful, just and proper. Stand behind the land we love. Stand behind lovely Dominica. As the old folk teaches us: Pa Quitay Yo por Domnik hod nou. Let us not let them take Dominica from us.
