PM Douglas calls on Party supporters to mobilise
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – REVIEWS on the 2012 Labour Day March are varied with some hailing it as a massive one and resounding success and others expressing that it was one of the smallest they have yet seen.
The march followed the traditional laying of wreaths at the graves of stalwarts of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) and the St. Kitts Trades and Labour Union Movement.
Participants on the march had assembled at the Patsy Allers Playing Field and were led by dozens of pompom girls. It then flowed across Central Street, down Fort Street, across Bank Street onto South Independence Square Street and across George Street.
It charted a path left on Sandown Road and onto Pond Road, across Cayon Street and culminated at its starting point.
Marching aback of a sign suspended by two individuals which read “A vision of a people, the liberation of a nation – SKNLP 80 years of advancement through empowerment”, Prime Minister and Leader of the SKNLP the Right Honourable Dr. Denzil L. Douglas was flanked by his supporters. Joining him also was former Member of Parliament Cedric Liburd.
Members of the SKNLP-led government, Ministers Richard ‘Ricky’ Skerritt, Glen ‘Ghost’ Phillip, Marcella Liburd, Asim Martin and Timothy Harris were also seen; some bedecked in their red SKNLP shirts.
Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of the SKNLP, the Honourable Sam Condor – dressed in a St. Kitts Trades and Labour Union shirt - was also present at the 2012 march.
The theme “Unity is Strength” was plastered across the many placards which were raised by the marchers. However there were the few whose placards expressed their displeasure with specific issues.
One individual carried two placards which read “Dougie no K bout poor working people only him rich friends dem in Dubai! Dougie Must Go!” and “National Debt me A** now electricity bill killing me A** Dougie Must Go!!!!”
Musical entertainment was provided by the Kollision Band and Ronnie Rascal’s Hi-Fi.
The march culminated with a downpour of rain and PM Douglas noted it was a blessing from God while thanking those who were in support of the annual event.
“I want to thank you for yet again demonstrating your full support for the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Movement. I want to thank the leadership firstly of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union and jointly with the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party and the government of St. Kitts and Nevis for putting on yet again a massive Labour Day March in 2012. It has been a successful march through the streets of Basseterre.”
He noted that despite the many challenges “there is no stopping of the Labour Movement; there is no stopping of the Labour Party; there is no stopping of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union”.
Dr. Douglas stated that Labour Day is a day to demonstrate that his party is mobilised and called on the Union’s membership and supporters of the Labour Party to become mobilised for action.
“I call on you wherever you are in your constituencies, in your communities to get on the move and become mobilised. Mobilised for action because neither you nor I know when the action is going to be called for the Labour Movement of this country.
“...Become mobilised, to be vigilant, to be steadfast, to hold on to what you have, hold on to our Labour Party. There is none that can be better than us. And that is why I say, none ah dem, none ah dem, not one ah dem can measure up to what we have to deliver to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
In the days and weeks leading up to the event, Prime Minister Dr. Douglas indicated that the march is one which could be used to advocate for a number of things including better health care and the lowering of the cost of electricity.
Some have suggested that Prime Minister Douglas might have shot himself in the proverbial foot when he egged persons on to march for the decrease in electricity costs, especially with the government – as persons explained – was responsible for or signed off on the increases.
Notwithstanding, others have named the event a success noting that for which it was organised.
