The Green March (Marcha Verde) social movement organizers met on Sunday, 12 March 2017 to light a torch as a symbol of the journey that begins on Monday, 13 March across the country as activists continue to demand an end to impunity for those involved in bribery and corruption in government.
The “green flame” was symbolically lit in the town of Capotillo, in the border province of Dajabón in the northwest. The location was where Dominicans began the Restoration War against Spain in 1861 to restore Dominican independence. The organizers explained the green flame will be taken across the country.
Odebrecht officials have admitted paying bribes for US$92 million in the Dominican Republic for contract work, but the Dominican judiciary has yet to make the first arrest in the case.
The green torch is part of continued efforts of Marcha Verde to raise awareness of the dangers to society and governance of allowing government officials to brazenly accept bribes and commit other illegal acts to the detriment of the country.
In a press release, Marcha Verde says the green torch will simultaneously cover journeys in Barahona in the southwest, Valverde in the northwest and Higuey in the east and will conclude with a major rally in Santo Domingo on 19 March at the Independence Park. The organizers are asking citizens to come out of their homes and businesses to greet the torch-bearers and light a candle, gas lamp or any type of flame to send a clear message that impunity and corruption will no longer be accepted in any government office, including the Presidential Palace.
Read more in Spanish:
7 Dias
13 March 2017
