The Dominican Council of Bishops urged people to avoid violence and provocations during today’s strike. In a message titled “Please say something” (“Por favor digan algo”), the bishops counsel the strike supporters to stay in their homes where they can reflect on the situation and pray. The bishops advised, “Let us not add more useless pain to what we are already suffering. Let us show the entire world that we are a civilized nation whose people know how to protest firmly and with prudence.” The clergymen did not let the President off the hook, adding that Mejia’s government must dedicate its entire energy to solving the economic problems facing the nation because “the loss of the quality of life is obvious and menacing.”
The National Council of Business (CONEP) and the Business & Industry Association of Santiago (ACIS) joined in asking the population to remain calm and avoid excesses during the strike. CONEP’s statement implored the populace to be prudent and avoid violence. At the same time, they also reaffirmed their sensitivity to the overall plight of the Dominican people, the social decomposition of society, the worsening scenario for quality of life issues, and the impoverishment of the population. Unchecked political ambition, flagrant corruption and the continual violation of the law and the Constitution were also named as important issues that disturbed society as a whole. The ACIS statement asked the strike leaders and the government to sit down and discuss matters.