Latin American contemporary musical star Juan Luis Guerra sung “Dominicana” and “Ojala Llueva Café” accompanied by Roger Zayas, Adalgisa Pantaleón and Quico Rizek during the Plaza de la Bandera protest concert on Thursday, 27 February, Independence Day.
“May a song for our country always be in our mouths,” he said to introduce his first song, “Canto a la Patria.” Juan Luis Guerra was introduced by singer-songwriter Covi Quintana, together with Manny Cruz. Juan Luis Guerra said he was present for democracy, peace and the right to elect our government leaders freely.”
Juan Luis Guerra sang at around noon to a crowd of around 100,000 at the western Santo Domingo circle to call for democracy. Thousands of people of all ages gathered since 9 am at the plaza in front of the Central Electoral Board and the Ministry of Defense. The protestors demand answers to what happened that lead to the aborting of the municipal election. They also spoke out against the recent actions of the Dominican judiciary. The young people committed to be vigilant for the fulfillment of the law regarding this government and the next.
The demonstration in the Plaza de la Bandera began at 11:27 in the morning of this February 27, with Nashla Bogaert and José María Cabral welcoming the protestors. They would be followed by dozens of artists and journalists who spoke at the event and shared the spirit of the call for democracy, transparency and end to impunity. Milagros Germán, Mariasela Alvarez, Sergio Carlo, Huchi Lora, Marino Zapete, Nuria Piera, Carlos Sanchez, Pavel Núñez, Rita Indiana, Vicente García, Charitín Goico, Eddy Herrera, Miriam Cruz, Rafa Rosario, Alex Matos, Lo Blanquito were part of the event. They were part of the call against corruption, in favor of the rule of law, democracy and the environment.
Beloved journalist Huchi Lora stated: “In my 72 years and 53 in journalism, this is the first time I feel so close to achieving freedom and democracy. It is an achievement of you,” he said, referring to the youth movement.
The Plaza de la Bandera fits around 200,000. The event lasted from 9am to 8pm, and observers estimate more than 500,000 people spontaneously showed up to express themselves in favor of democracy.
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Diario Libre
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El Caribe
28 February 2020