Truckers in Dominica took to the streets early Wednesday morning, blocking the Canefield main road in a protest against the lack of employment opportunities.

The protest which began in the wee hours of the morning is ongoing even after members of the riot squad fired tear gas to disperse the crowd of men, women, and children.

“We have decided to be in it for the long haul. We are not going to be intimidated. If we have to disperse for our health reasons, we’ll disperse but we will be back,” one trucker told local media.”

“What the government is doing now is almost like treason. You are working against the people, you are supposed to be working for,” he added. 

One man has been taken into police custody. His lawyer, Ronald Charles, told local news media Emo News that his client was charged with assault and is now out on bail. The man was reportedly beaten by law enforcement officers while participating in the protest.

Law enforcement fired the chemical after countless attempts to get the protestors, including civilians to evacuate the area.  “I’ve read the proclamation, disperse and go to your homes” an officer voiced through a bullhorn while other officers descended on the area and began clearing debris placed on the road to block oncoming traffic.

“I am asking you to disperse and go to your respective homes” he continued while the protestors chanted “hell no” and “it’s our right”.

Hours before the gas was dispersed, the protestors were told that they had been disrupting the public flow of traffic. The truckers, frustrated that they have not been able to get meaningful employment, particularly during the construction of the international airport, would only allow emergency vehicles into the square they had formed.

Protestors tried moving closer to police who threatened to release the tear gas, reasoning, “They can’t burst tear gas on themselves”.

Video footage of the protest and tear gas deployment can be found on Emo News’ Facebook page and other local media pages.