“We hold him responsible” Protesters call on Dominican president to consider reform for total abortion ban in their country

The Dominican community in the Bronx gathered outside the Dominican Consulate on Thursday to demand changes to the Dominican Republic’s abortion ban.

“Las tres causaules demands that abortion be legal in the following three circumstances: if the pregnancy results from rape or incest, if the fetus is not viable or if the fetus poses a risk to the woman’s life. So we are here today to let him know that we hold him accountable for his promise,” said Maria, a resident who attended Thursday’s rally.

It’s a promise that activists say was made during President Luis Abinader’s presidential campaign.

Protests outside the Dominican consulate led to multiple arrests after an attempt to block the entrance doors, including Congresswoman Amanda Septimo.

“President Abinader, I hope you hear us. We are serious and we are counting on you to defend Dominican women,” she said.

The protesters hope that this debt will be repaid by the end of the week, when the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic will examine the penal code and decide their fate.