BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DESPITE torrential rain, hundreds donned their red garments and took to the streets yesterday (May 6) to participate in the traditional Labour Day March.
As is the custom, the march was preceded by the laying of wreaths on the graves of fallen stalwarts of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) and the St. Kitts Nevis Trades and Labour Union.
For hours, following that exercise, showers of blessings descended upon the island so much so that many questioned whether or not the long-awaited march would have been cancelled or simply delayed.
Though several hours past its traditional start time, the march got underway at about 1:00 p.m. after the rains had were reduced to a drizzle.rain
Taking the usual route, the large crowd – which resembled a sea of red – made its way from the Patsy Allers Playing Field, flowed east along Central Street, down Fort Street, east along Bank and George Streets and north on Sandown Road before making its way back to the Pasty Allers Playing Field via Cayon Street.
The march – which is patronised chiefly by supporters of the SKNLP, attracted some additional attention this year as, at its front, was a man who bore a placard that was in direct contradiction to the march’s Full Confidence theme.
“NO CONFIDENCE
INCITE OVERTHROW BANKRUPT – DOUGY’S LEGACY
MILLIONS LOST AT BEACON HEIGHTS
LAND SWAP DEAL
17% VAT HIGHEST IN OECS
85% ELECTRICITY INCREASE
LORD PLEASE END OUR LABOUR PAIN”, one of his placards read.
And on the flip side, many other placards were raised by children decked in nurse uniforms, which spoke to “hospital expenses paid for all”, “Air ambulance service for all”, “maternity benefits for all women”, “surgical expenses paid for all”, “overseas care paid for all” and “free mammograms for all women”.
The Full Confidence theme resonated throughout the event with many donning red shirts which declared that there is “full confidence in Labour”. And though the sea of red was an eyeful, the one or two yellow shirts could not be missed.
Featured at the parade were the pompom girls who were followed by Prime Minister and Leader of the SKNLP the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas and members of his Cabinet, flanked by their supporters.
And messages of the SKNLP’s accomplishments and its promises to the people of the nation were preached through the length and breadth of the march.
Musical entertainment was provided by Ronnie Rascal’s Hi-Fi, the Kollision Band and the Nu Vybes Band International.
Near the back of the procession was an eye-catching feature of the march. It was a tractor-drawn trailer that bore signage - among others - “S.I.D.F. is working”, and in addition to carrying a number of vegetables, two pigs were at its front.
Close to three hours after it commenced, the march culminated at its starting point with speeches from President of the St. Kitts Nevis Trades and Labour Union Joseph O’Flaherty and PM Douglas, with the former underscoring the importance of the Labour Movement and the latter reminding the gathering of the need for a united front if the ills which the nation now faces are to be conquered.
