The Hispanic community in Antigua and Barbuda is organizing a peaceful march in response to the recent murder of a nine-year-old girl, calling for justice and fair treatment amid rising tensions.

Alex Martínez, leader of the Dominicano community, announced the initiative during a Facebook Live address, urging his fellow Dominicans to unite in seeking justice while rejecting violence and discrimination.

“We will march in peace, just as others have done before. We want justice for this little girl, and we also want justice for our own community members who have been victims of crime. We must show that we stand together,” Martínez stated.

The demonstration aims to highlight concerns over what many in the Dominican community perceive as unfair blame following reports that a Dominican national may be implicated in the crime. Martínez warned against generalizations, stating that one person’s actions should not define an entire community.

He also condemned social media posts calling for violence against Dominicans, urging authorities to prevent any escalation of tensions. “There are voices inciting hate against us, but we will not respond with hate. We will march peacefully and call for justice to be served through proper legal channels,” he said.

The march is expected to take place in the coming days, with organizers working on finalizing logistics and ensuring a lawful and respectful demonstration. The community leader emphasized that the protest will be a platform to demand justice for all victims of crime, including Dominican national Jennifer Bridge, whose murder remains unsolved.

Martínez also called for dialogue between the Dominican community and local authorities to foster understanding and prevent further divisions. He urged Dominicans to remain vigilant and avoid confrontation, emphasizing that their primary goal is to advocate for justice and equality.

“We are here to work, to build a future, and to respect this country’s laws. But we will not stand by while our people are unfairly targeted. This march is about justice and unity,” he said.

The march is expected to draw significant participation from the Dominican community and other supporters, sending a strong message of solidarity while reinforcing their demand for a thorough and impartial investigation into the crime.