Santo Domingo. — From the early hours of the morning, thousands of people began to gather at the intersection of Albert Thomas with Nicolás de Ovandostarting point of the People’s March summoned by the Power of the People For this Sunday, a mobilization that runs through the northern part of the National District in protest against the high cost of living, the deterioration of public services and insecurity that affects Dominican families.
From the starting point, the crowd completely occupies Nicolás de Ovando, extending for entire blocks and overflowing the sidewalks. Entire families, workers, single mothers, young people, community members, merchants, professionals, older adults and citizens who have spontaneously left their homes raise banners, flags and slogans. On balconies, windows, grocery stores and other businesses, Dozens of people applaud, shout “Leonel, we are with you!”“We can’t take it anymore!” or they simply raise their hands in support of the mobilization.
The march, led by Fernández, is described by the organizers as “a march of the Dominican people who are tired, who demand answers and who rise up in dignity.”
The march is based on urgent social demands: the increase in food prices, the lack of salary indexation, the shortage of drinking water, the deterioration of public services, the high cost of medicines, insecurity and failure to comply with official commitments to vulnerable producers and communities.
Angie Brooks’ proclamation
Before starting the tour, the secretary of the Women of the Strength of the People, Angie Brooksread a proclamation that shook everyone present and set the human tone of the day.
In his words, Brooks recalled that the mourning that Dominican women carry today “is not a symbol, it is history and present.” He spoke of those who did not return, of those who live in fear, of those who denounced and were ignored by a State that does not guarantee their rights. He pointed out that this mourning was born from institutions that have turned their backs, from broken promises and restraining orders that ended in tragedy.
He also stressed that today he is marching for those who flee, for those who scream without being heard, for those who remained silent, leaving orphaned children, for those who face avoidable maternal deaths, for those who alone bear the upbringing, the electricity bill, the missing food, the double shift and daily desperation. This country, he said, cannot continue living as if nothing were happening in a land where insecurity is a shadow and life has become too expensive.
Brooks concluded by proclaiming that, although they are in mourning, mourning today becomes strength, unity and determination. From every corner of the country and from the diaspora, the Women’s Secretariat He raised his voice to demand protection, dignity and justice for all. “We all deserve to return home. We all deserve to live without fear,” she said.
The journey
Starting from Nicolás de Ovando with Albert Thomas, the demonstration route continued all the way through Nicolás de Ovando, to turn onto Mutualísimo street (10th street), continue along Mary Widow of the Cross (Doña Chucha)advance to Duarte Avenue and from there he went in a straight line to Mexico Avenue, where the central event concluded and where The president of the People’s Force, Leonel Fernández, offered a speech in which he demanded a change of command in the face of the government crisis in the Dominican Republic
The route of the march covered the sectors La Zurza, Simón Bolívar, Ensanche Capotillo, Villas Agrícolas, Villa Juana, Villa Consuelo, Mejoramiento Social, and will end between San Carlos and Villa Francisca.
Protection and control
To guarantee the smooth development of the day, the organization had more than 750 operational support collaborators, integrated into the protection and control teams. The route has 62 corners, each with four companions responsible for making traffic viable, in addition to 65 additional members distributed at strategic points. In respect of sensitive areas, the provision has been established not to use music in hospital areas.
Logistics also includes the distribution of more than 30 thousand bottles of water, guaranteeing continuous hydration for participants throughout the route. Likewise, there are three ambulances located at the beginning, midpoint and end of the journey, along with the installation of bathrooms in the departure and arrival areas, ensuring adequate conditions for the comfort of all attendees.
At this time, 1:45 in the afternoon, while the crowd continues to gather, the march has already become a massive expression of social fatigue. The streets are completely packed, and citizens continue leaving their homes, joining the journey or applauding from their fronts to express their support, in a day that anticipates being one of the largest citizen demonstrations in recent times.
Previous demonstrations
This new demonstration adds to the large social mobilizations that the organization has been leading in recent years. In January 2023, thousands of young people marched from Parque Colón to the Altar of the Homeland, demanding opportunities, education, decent jobs and a life without fear. The president of the organization, Leonel Fernández, joined this demonstration to accompany the young people.
In March of the same year, women from all over the country gathered in Enriquillo Park to march in solidarity with the victims of femicides, against economic violence, social exclusion and state abandonment, reaching Parque Independencia where they were received by the leader of the People’s Force, Leonel Fernández.
You can read: Leónel Fernández denounces social and economic crisis in the Dominican Republic
Also, in May 2023, the organization carried out the massive Workers’ March, which toured popular sectors of the capital denouncing insufficient salaries, inflation, increases in medicines, lack of social security and the devastating impact of the high cost of food on Dominican homes. All of these marches, at different times and with different protagonists, have had the same common thread: the voice of the people in the face of an economy that can’t take it anymore, and what they have called “the setback established by the PRM.”
