Dozens of young people from the Recognize Us as Dominicans Movement have held a day of prayers and protest outside the Presidential Palace to ask President Danilo Medina once again to fulfill his promise to solve the problem that affects 19,000 residents who are descended from Haitians and claim Dominican nationality. They are challenging the cancellation of their identity documents by the Central Electoral Board (JCE).
The demonstrators staged their protest peacefully, wearing black shirts and with black umbrellas, and praying, “I am Dominican, President Danilo Medina don’t close your eyes to the injustice of the JCE. I am Dominican and I have rights, free us from Pharaoh Roberto Rosario”.
Group representative Ana Maria Belique said that they could not wait another six years, and that they wanted to get on with their lives.
Their last protest was held on 12 April 12, when they met with Deputy Presidency Minister Henry Molina, who expressed sympathy with their cause and promised to look at their demands. However so far they have had no response.
www.eldia.com.do/nacionales/2013/5/13/114053/Dominicanos-de-ascendencia-haitiana-vuelven-a-Palacio-a-pedir-les