The millennial and centennial generations in the Dominican Republic’s “Trabucazo 2020” protest marked an inflection point in Dominican politics. The event was the climax of a week of demonstrations of the under-35-year-old voting segment of the Dominican population, which is around 40% of the total vote, at the Plaza de la Bandera. The Plaza de la Bandera esplanade is located in front of the Central Electoral Board (JCE), the Ministry of Defense and the Constitutional Court. The protestors ask the JCE to explain the reasons of the aborting of the municipal election on Sunday, 16 February 2020. They call for transparency, justice and the strengthening of Dominican institutions.
The following is the manifesto of the Independence Day concert-demonstration that was attended by dozens of leading media and entertainment figures, including singer-composer Juan Luis Guerra.
On the list of what the young people are demanding are:
• An investigation to determine the reasons for the suspension of the municipal election on 16 February and that the results of that investigation be known.
• That this investigation be conducted by international organizations such as the Organization of American States, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and the Union of Electoral Organizations (UNIORE). That the culprits be subject to justice without distinction of hierarchy.
• That international organizations accompany the entire Dominican voting process to guarantee its transparency and credibility.
• That all meetings of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) with the political parties be broadcast live and that the presence of the press and civil society entities be allowed at these meetings.
• That the head of the Specialized Prosecutor Office for Electoral Crimes and Offenses be chosen by consensus among the political parties and duly represented civil society to ensure that the person is independent and objective.
The young people said: “We have shown the old political players, the country and the world that there is a patriotic feeling stirring in the Dominican Republic and that we have decided to take actions to control our future.”
The “Trabucazo 2020” is largest spontaneous demonstration of young Dominicans in recent times. The young people of all economic levels spontaneously gathered at the Plaza de la Bandera in front of the JCE, the Ministry of Defense and the Constitutional Court for 11 consecutive days. What began as a trickle of people on day one, spontaneously evolved to thousands of young people coming in and out of the plaza on the protest evenings. The protests climaxed with an estimated half a million showing up for the Independence Day protest on 27 February.
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
El Dia
2 March 2020