Yaque river activists demand a halt to pollution, get shot at

Santiago.- Leaders and members of the CaamañoDeño´ Revolutionary Movement set up camp near Santiago´s beltway to demand urgentmeasures by the Environment Ministry to prevent the north Yaque river´s demise.

Movement spokesman Felix Nicasio said they’llbe at the site until Thursday, when they’ll march with area inhabitants todemand a halt to the pollution of the Yaque.

"This cannot continue, we will end up eliminatingthe Yaque, and the consequences will then be disastrous not only for thepresent, but the future generation," Nicasio said, quoted by diariolibre.com.do.

He said local Environment officials knowwhich companies are polluting the river, but don’t lift a finger. "It’stime that all those who pollute our rivers, whether rich or poor, pay for it,because it’s a criminal action."

Drive by shooting

Nicasio added that after they had set up theirtents Monday night, they were fired upon by unidentified gunmen from a vehicle.