Spain: Dominican solidarity protests scheduled in Madrid and Barcelona February 22

Event

Members of the Dominican diaspora in Spain have called for protests in Madrid and Barcelona on Saturday, February 22, amid ongoing protests in the Dominican Republic due to election irregularities. Participants in Madrid are scheduled to gather at the Callao metro station as of 11:00 (local time) until at least 15:00. Those in Barcelona are set to gather at the Pla de la Seu as of 16:00.

Associated transportation disruptions and a heightened security presence are to be anticipated in the vicinity of all protests.

Context

Municipal elections were held on February 16 in the Dominican Republic, in which several polling centers operating electronic ballots reported glitches. Following these reports, several protests were reported in cities across the country as a response to the glitches, seen as election rigging by the leading party, the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD). The electronic system was used in just 18 of the 158 municipalities - areas with high population density. The Central Electoral Union (JCE) subsequently suspended the elections and called for a new vote on March 15.

Protests have been ongoing across the Dominican Republic for five consecutive days.

Advice

Individuals in Madrid and Barcelona are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all large public gatherings as a precaution, and anticipate transportation disruptions.