José María Cabral calls for human chain at the Botanical Garden

Santo Domingo.- Renowned filmmaker José María Cabral is inviting the public to join a peaceful demonstration this Sunday, July 20 at 9 a.m. near the Botanical Garden in Santo Domingo, specifically in front of the main parking lot. The event aims to form a human chain in defense of trees, green areas, and urban nature.

Cabral emphasizes that even if the Botanical Garden is not under immediate threat, the gathering serves to highlight the ongoing destruction of green spaces in Santo Domingo and across the country, often justified under the guise of progress. He warns that countless trees have been removed without proper reforestation plans, setting a dangerous precedent for urban development nationwide.

“This is more than protecting one park,” Cabral said. “It’s about reclaiming what we’ve already lost—shade, rivers, trees, and breathing space.” Through his environmental work, including documentaries Plastic Island and Tomb and Burn, Cabral has long advocated for ecological awareness.