90 Miles From Tyranny

Monday, February 21, 2022

Dominican Republic starts work on border wall with Haiti

The aim is to stop the smuggling of drugs and weapons into the country, as well as halting illegal migration from Haiti.

The Dominican Republic has started building a wall stretching around 122 miles (196km) along its border with Haiti.

Luis Abinader, president of the Dominican Republic, said the barrier - which will cover almost half of the country's border with haiti - will attempt to stop illegal migrants crossing the border from Haiti, as well as preventing drugs and weapons being smuggled into the country.

The first phase of the project is expected to be completed within nine months, he said.

It comes a week before the anniversary of the Dominican Republic's independence from Haiti on 27 February 1844.

The project will include the construction of 70 watchtowers and 41 access gates for patrolling.

Despite the two countries being neighbours, they are worlds apart in terms of development.

Haiti is one of the poorest nations in the Caribbean, whilst the Dominican Republic has become a popular tourist destination, with around six million visitors each year.

"The benefit for both nations will be of great importance," Mr Abinader said, adding the border wall will also help fight organised crime in the two countries.

The 20-centimetre-thick concrete structure will be topped by a metal mesh and fitted with cameras, motion sensors and radars.

During the last year, Haiti has battled with gang violence, earthquakes, and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

Around 500,000 Haitians and tens of thousands of their descendants live in the Dominican Republic, a Spanish-speaking nation of about 11 million people, according to...

Quick Hits Of Wisdom, Knowledge And Snark #249

California School Official Calls Racist Vandalism ‘Prank That Went Sideways’ After Black Student Confesses

A black female high school student has fessed up to writing racist graffiti over two drinking fountains at her school in the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD). A community liaison for the district said the incident was “a prank that went sideways.”

The student admitted to scribbling “colored” over one drinking fountain and writing “white” above an adjacent fountain at McClatchy High School, SCUSD Community Liaison Mark Harris told KOVR. The district launched an investigation into the incident February 11 after the graffiti was discovered, the SCUSD said in a release.

Last month, the school district appointed Harris as the community liaison to “advise and help the district address instances of racism, and improve on equity, social justice and civil rights,” a January 19 school district press release states.

He told KOVR he does not regard the incident as racism, partly because the student is black.

“I don’t believe those words that were on those water fountains were racist,” Harris said. “I do not believe they were hate crime or hate speech. Part of it quite honestly is because the admitted perpetrator is a young African American woman.”

“I’ve been practicing law for 40 years, people typically don’t confess to things they didn’t do, unless they’re under duress or coercion. And nobody has claimed that; not her, not her family,” Harris told reporters at a press conference outside the school Thursday, according to the Sacramento Bee. He noted video corroborates the confession.

The student is a minor, “and appropriate disciplinary action is being taken by district,” the SCUSD said.

“It was a prank that went sideways is my characterization of what the young woman said in her confession,” Harris said at the press conference, per the Sacramento Bee. “It should be a moment for our community to come together and make sure this doesn’t destroy this person’s life.”

President Betty Williams of the Greater Sacramento NAACP compared the week-long investigation that culminated in the confession of the black student with another instance of racist graffiti at a different school in the district, that has been ongoing since...

Gunfire erupted when violent Antifa militants appear to have picked a fight with a notorious Portland, Ore. area biker gang.

Antifa lost.

At least one person ended up dead and five others were injured in Portland Saturday night.

Portland Police are still sorting things out, but what we know is that police were called on Saturday night shortly after 8 p.m to a disturbance that quickly escalated into gunfire.

Portland Police said, “this incident started with a confrontation between an armed homeowner and armed protesters.”

As Portland Police Public Information Officer Lt. Nathan Sheppard attempted to update the media on the shooting melee in Northeast Portland, two known Antifa militants took over the news conference, commandeered the microphones, and began blaming the police for failing to do their jobs to protect them.

According to Antifa protesters who took over the presser, identified by the Post Millennial as “Hailley Nolan and Dustin Ferreira,” the previous night their comrades had gone to confront members of notorious Portland area biker gang the Gypsy Jokers. Police say at least one of the Antifa militants was armed (which they usually are).

Nolan, who appeared to have trouble breathing, said it was the Portland Police Bureau’s fault when a woman died in the shooting melee and five others were wounded.

“They are sending Gypsy Jokers to kidnap us,” she breathlessly announced. She pointed to Lt. Sheppard and accused the police of encouraging the violence against Antifa, saying “they are sanctioning this violence against us. We are dying. We are trying to peacefully protest and they are killing us. And I want to know if any of you care. I want to know if Ted Wheeler cares.” See the video below.

She indicated why they took over the news conference by admitting “we are not going to let them capture the narrative and lie,” as she pointed to the police.

We can understand why. When you’re Antifa and you pick a fight with a biker gang, Antifa looks pretty dumb.

While the media watched, the Antifa goons chased the lieutenant back to his patrol car and attempted to surround it — their favorite trick.

I grew up in Portland. Ever since I was a kid I’d heard about the Gypsy Jokers. You. Don’t. Mess. With. The. Gypsy Jokers. Capice? The Portland Gypsy Jokers are reputedly among the most violent, drug dealing, anti-social biker posses this side of the Hells Angels. They’re some bad dudes. Worse than...