BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 27th 2013 - On Wednesday, June 25, 2013, an ocean of white showcased the camaraderie, calm and determination of thousands of citizens of the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis who descended on the capital, Basseterre in a soul stirring and euphoric afternoon of prayer and protest against what some now refer to as a "galloping dictatorship."
What began some days ago with the refusal of the PAM's request to march peacefully through the streets of Basseterre, particularly on Church street, ended with an eleventh hour reversal of the police commissioner's decision granting permission to the organizers to stage the march.
Controversy erupted over the commissioner's decision to deny the request to march after it was leaked to the public that the police Commissioner, in an email to one of his men, regarded the marchers as "insurgents". The confidence in the Commissioner was suddenly under public scrutiny.
Against the backdrop of picturesque Basseterre, with intermittent drops of rain and grey to overcast skies, people of varying political persuasions assembled peacefully in the square; an historically symbolical location where our ancestors were humiliated and sold to the highest bidder; their worth subject to the scrutiny of their owners. The modern day privileges we enjoy today, including the right to march, came out of the ills against which generations before us so valiantly fought.
And so it was on Wednesday June 26, 2013 that agents of change delivered an electrifying rally which turned into the real spectacle of all time in downtown Basseterre. Not in recent times have the people of St. Kitts stood up in unison to rally against the economic, social and political noose hanging around the necks of many of our citizens.
Of great significance is the fact that there was no need for a popular DJ to spin tunes, nor was there a need for a blasting sound system or prominent band to thump at the hearts of the people. The people were charged enough, marching in solidarity to the beat of "hope."
The efforts to silence thousands from exercising their freedom eventually burgeoned into thousands more calling for the resignation of the political leader who helped to get us to this place. Throngs of bold marchers were called "insurgents" but they were in fact a peaceful lot, armed with a desire to be heard, to be seen, and to be inspired.
Wednesday's march was a show of the strength of the people; the people whose Women in Unity group pledged to walk and engage in public prayer and who were joined by political leaders and supporters of the opposition Party PAM, the newly formed political party PLP, and thousands of citizens of all political persuasions.
Those who converged at Independence Square identified with one another. Their everyday experiences drove them out of their homes and onto the streets of historical Basseterre. The steadily increasing cost of living, the blatant acts of corruption in government, the inability of the current administration to minimize crime, the siphoning off of prime lands to foreigners, repeated lack of interest in tabling the integrity in public life bill, opposition to term limits for a sitting Prime Minister, astronomically high electricity costs, the strategic acts of political expediency by the government to remain in government by delaying for some seven months the motion of no confidence are some of the underlying reasons the people showed up to march.
Dr. Martin Luther King’s eloquent and electrifying speech on August 28, 1963, was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement and in the history of America. They weren't called insurgents for rallying together in a peaceful show of support against the abuse of their civil rights.
Dr. King, the civil rights activist had the power, the ability, and the capacity to transform every individual in the sound of his voice. Through his masterful and flawless delivery, he educated, he inspired. Dr. King informed not just the people there, but people throughout America and unborn generations.
Thirty years after our nation burst out of the colonial gates and officially parted ways with Mother England, we too have made significant strides as a nation. Dr. Harris, former Labour Party candidate stood up with his fellow citizens with different political ideals who share one common goal: to reshape the direction in which our relatively young federation is heading under its current leadership.
Donned in all white, renowned Labour stalwart and wife of parliamentarian the Honourable Sam Condor, Mrs. Eugenie Byron-Condor, rallied the people to help make the change. In fact, speaker after speaker of the PAM tapped into the energies of he people to further ignite yesterday's march, including newly appointed female PAM chairwoman, Ms. Cindy Demming.
In our federation is a solid blend of life teachers who are in enviable positions. Like Dr. King, they are strategically placed to speak, to educate to inspire and to inform generations to come.
When our community leaders and the very powerful individuals in our society come together in an authentic and unified effort for the good of our country, there are even more remarkable strides we can and will make as an independent nation.
The surge of force, passion and unity demonstrated by the police branded "insurgents" on yesterday speaks volumes. Not in recent history has there been such a strong demonstration of opposition to the leadership of Denzil Douglas and his Labour government.
The "insurgents" descended on Basseterre peacefully and dispelled the rumors that their motive was merely to create confusion. As the people peacefully demonstrated, the world watched. As the stage is now set for Music Festival, the world continues to watch.
The crowds departed and the capital Basseterre eventually came to a lull last night. The change makers painted the town "white" in an unprecedented show of unity and in doing so made history.
They head to their respective homes fueled with great euphoria to face whatever comes next.
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