BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN a public display of their discontentment with the high cost of electricity, several individuals took to the streets of Basseterre Friday (May 18) to participate in an Operation Rescue march and rally which was said to be more successful than that held on Labour Day.
Operation Rescue’s march and rally – according to co-founder of the movement Dwyer Astaphan – was an opportunity for persons within St. Kitts-Nevis to object to those things which they deem unjust within the land, including the high cost of electricity.
Led by Operation Rescue member Terry Adams, the crowd marched along West Independence Square Street, travelled east onto the Bay Road and up Fort Street. They made their way also onto Cayon and Church Streets before ending at Bank Street where the rally was held.
Quite a number of placards were hoisted in the air by marchers, some of which read: “The people fed up with them!”, “Sam and Tim we want a mutiny on the bounty now!”, “Electricity 85 % increase enough is enough Dougie go home”, “Bottle lamp and candle is back under Douglas” and “No money!! But… electricity gon’ up water gon’ up gas gon’ up food gon’ up everything gon’ up!!”
Supporters and members of the People’s Action Movement including leader Lindsay Grant and his Deputy Eugene Hamilton were also seen participating in the march.
Speaking with SKNVibes following the event, Astaphan said Operation Rescue is pleased with the turnout but indicated it is still evident that there is still fear of reprisal amongst the people.
“We had a good turnout and clearly there is still a lot of fear in the country. People are afraid to be seen visibly in a march but a lot of people were on the sides and even moving with the march and expressing their solidarity. And I think the whole thing culminating in the rally – which I’m sure you saw had Bank Street filled – perhaps was a more accurate depiction of the support that the march had.”
Comparing it to the recently-held Labour Day march, Astaphan told this publication that Operation Rescue’s was more successful.
“I do think that from an objective perspective, the march and the whole event was more successful than the march that was held recently under the pretext of calling people to march in favour of lower electricity rates.”
He explained that the movement in which he is involved is aware that “evaporating the political divide…that is hurting people so much” will not transpire overnight. But, “We are very encouraged…It is a work in progress (and) we will continue what we are doing…”
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