US: Dominican solidarity protests scheduled in several cities February 27 /update 1

Event

Members of the Dominican diaspora in the United States have called for protests in several cities on Thursday, February 27, amid ongoing protests in the Dominican Republic due to election irregularities. February 27 is also Dominican Independence Day. Gatherings are scheduled as follows:

• New York City: Amsterdam Ave at Michael J. Buczek Ballfield, at 16:00 to 18:00 (local time)
• New York City: Central Electoral Union (JCE), at 16:00
• New York City: Dominican Consulate, at 19:00
• Paterson, NJ: Plaza Juan Pablo Duarte, at 18:00
• Newark, NJ: Newark City Hall, at 16:30
• Trenton, NJ: Trenton City Hall, at 17:00
• Boston, MA: Boston Common, at 16:00
• Springfield, MA: Court Square, at 17:15
• Providence, RI: Juan Pablo Duarte Monument, at 16:00 -Reading, PA: on 5th Street at 16:00
• Washington, DC: the Dominican Ambassador's residence from 15:00 to 18:00
• Chicago, IL: Millenium Park, from 16:30 to 18:30 (local time)
• Dallas, TX: Akard Plaza, from 16:00 to 20:00
• New Orleans, LA: Dominican Consulate, at 17:00

Related protests remain possible in other urban centers across the country. 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 to benefit 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.

Advice

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