Former President Fernandez voiced his support of the two-day nationwide strike called for Wednesday, 28 January and Thursday, 29 January. “The people have reasons to protest. We can say that this government has mistreated the people so much when what we see is the civic and honorable behavior of the Dominican people. There is no way to stop the Dominican people from morally supporting this strike,” he said during the Duarte Day march on Monday. The march, which was the first mass event organized by the PLD after the opening of the presidential election campaign, received the support of thousands as it passed through the Avenida Duarte, Avenida Mella and streets in northern Santo Domingo. Fernandez urged the population to go about the strike in a peaceful manner. “Everyone should stay at home, and let the government see this strike as a plebiscite.” Many businesses have announced they will take the two days off as a means of protesting the handling of the economy and the recent moves by the government to change the electoral law. Elementary and high schools could remain closed on the days of the strike as well. Government offices will operate as normal, and the OMSA government bus operation said that 900 OMSA buses will be running to offer transportation if the transport units decide to take the two days off. In the past, nationwide strikes have not affected tourist enclave destinations, which continue to offer services, although certain excursions may not operate as normal for the duration of the strike.