Dominican Republic: Activists to stage demonstration in Santo Domingo from 15:30 May 4

Activists affiliated with the Marcha Mundial de la Marihuana (Global Marijuana March, MMM) plan to gather at the Skate Park on Avenida Mirador Sur in Santo Domingo for a demonstration May 4. The purpose of the demonstration is to demand the decriminalization of cannabis in the Dominican Republic. Demonstration organizers have announced that participants will gather at the Skate Park at 15:30 before marching to the National Congress building at 16:20. The demonstrators will reportedly begin to rally in front of the National Congress at 16:50, and the event will end at around 18:30. The precise march route and number of people that may participate in the demonstration were not immediately clear.

Authorities will probably deploy a heightened security presence to monitor the demonstration. Increased security is particularly likely around the National Congress building. Transport disruptions will likely affect the march route, and road closures cannot be ruled out. Clashes between demonstrators and police are possible, particularly if rally participants are disruptive or fail to heed any orders from authorities to disperse.