US: Dominican solidarity protests scheduled in several cities February 21-23

Event

Members of the Dominican diaspora in the United States have called for protests in several cities between Friday, February 21, and Sunday, February 23, amid ongoing protests in the Dominican Republic due to election irregularities. Protests are scheduled as follows:

• On February 21, a protest is scheduled in San Juan (Puerto Rico) at Avenida Ponce de León, in front of the Cobian Plaza. The time was undisclosed.
• On February 22, a protest is scheduled in New York City's Washington Heights neighborhood at 181 St & St. Nicholas Ave. The protest will begin as of 16:00 (local time).
• On February 23, a protest is scheduled in Miami (Florida state) at Bayfront Park on Biscayne Blvd 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 the aforementioned cities are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all large public gatherings as a precaution, and anticipate transportation disruptions.