Protests in the Cibao

[NewsWhore]

Protests are becoming routine in several towns and cities in the Cibao region. Two people including a police officer were injured during street protests. Diario Libre reports that 16 people have been detained and that police officers shot 17-year old Israel Polanco Santos while he was playing basketball during the protests in San Francisco de Macoris. Police are denying this, saying that unknown people shot him. Citizens are asking the authorities to fix roads, lower food prices and provide basic services. Listin Diario reports that 90% of the protests have been in San Francisco de Macoris and were only partially successful in Santiago. Diario Libre reports that 15 people were injured in Santiago, while 20 were arrested. Schools, transport and commerce all came to a halt in San Francisco. Concerns over the strikes led to the cancellation of the Gigantes/Aguilas baseball game on Monday as well as the Toros/Gigantes game. In Salcedo, demonstrators burned tires and threw objects into the streets. The Alternative Social Forum is partly responsible for the protests and says the public was making a stand, asking the authorities to fix roads, provide drinking water, reduce blackouts, lower gasoline prices and lower food prices.

More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#10)