Rastafari was brought to Dominica in the early 1970s by students returning from studying abroad in the United States and Trinidad.
[1] According to the law, adherents of Rastafari wearing their hair in dreadlocks (referred to as "Dreads") were subject to arrest without a warrant, were not permitted bail and could be held without charges for at least 48 hours.
The law also prohibited the prosecution of any individual who killed or injured a "Dread" inside a place of residence.
As a result of the act, Dominica residents and law enforcement were granted immunity from prosecution for assaulting or murdering Rastafarians.
[2] Eugenia Charles voiced opposition to the bill shortly after it was passed, but took no steps to repeal it during her tenure as a House representative.