BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - WITH an oversized placard bearing the words “Team Unity Better Together” at the helm, members and supporters of the Unity Movement marched through the streets of Basseterre on Friday (Jan 10) in what they claimed to be continuance of their defence of democracy in St. Kitts-Nevis.
Beginning in the vicinity of Greenlands Park, the march moved slowly east along Cayon Street and made its first turn down Central Market Street before turning east onto Liverpool Row. And having made its way up Fort Street, it turned right onto Cayon Street, down West Independence Square Street and right onto the Bay Road. It tuned again unto Fort Street before culminating at Bank Street where a Rally was to have been held.
Beginning with 50-plus individuals, the procession gained momentum and by the time it had gotten to the areas of Liverpool Row and West Independence Square Street, it had swollen to hundreds.
Expressions
While many let their presence in the March spoke for them, there were several who expressed themselves through the placards they carried.
“Defend your freedom”, “Democracy is worth fighting for”, We want justice”, “Team Unity for prosperity”, “UNITE”, “People deserve better Unity now”, “People deserve better...Douglas go”, “St. Kitts is not a police state”, “One voice for better unity” and “UNITY” were some of the messages which this publication observe on the placards.
The Message
With songs including Bob Marley’s ‘Get Up Stand Up’ and Lucky Dube’s ‘Different Colours’ resonating in the background, the message of unity, a fight in defence of democracy and a time for all to take an immediate stand against corruption and dictatorship were preached by the wife of Team Unity Member Sam Condor, Jean Condor.
She said the event was not a demonstration but a peaceful march and beckoned to persons who were viewing on the sidelines to join in and march to defend their rights.
“No time to be waiting and wondering...Time to decide if we really love this country. We have a job to do to take back this country for ourselves, take back this country for our children...”
A usually impassioned Condor said Kittitians and Nevisians have not just a right but a duty to “step up and do what it right”. She also declared that part of that duty is “calling a spade a spade” rather than keeping their silence when wrongs and injustices would have been committed.
She declared that 2014 is the year of reckoning and questioned what would become of “our children and our beautiful country” if something is not done to rescue the nation from the clutches of dictatorship.
Security Detail
More than 13 officers - including one Sergeant, three gazetted officers, and at least four traffic officers provided security for the event. The traffic officers were at the head of the procession with most of the others interspersed within the crowd.
It was peaceful for the most part barring a minor incident which occurred in the vicinity of the E. St. John Payne Annex (Social Security building) on Liverpool Row. To prevent the incident from progressing into a major one, two police officers strategically positioned themselves between the marchers and those standing on the sidelines.
Success
Unity member and Deputy Political Leader of the People’s Action Movement (PAM) Jonel Powell had declared the march a success.
“I think it was a success. People came out to demonstrate against the illegitimate Prime Minister. I think that the people were very militant, they were geared up but it was peaceful and I think that was the most important part. We are not here to cause confusion and mash up the country. It is all about peaceful demonstration and democracy...”
Powell said he was satisfied with the turnout.
“I am satisfied with the number that came out. There were - I believe - as many people on the sides of the road supporting us, which is important as well. And at the end of the day when you looked at all the people, those marching, those on the side who were cheering and supporting us and waving, I think it’s significant.”
The March was to have culminated with a rally on Bank Street but that ended prematurely owing to a power outage. SKNVibes understands that that outage was islandwide.
Powell said it is unfortunate that this is the second consecutive Friday that they have been able to have their meeting at Bank Street. “At least the power could not stop the March and people from coming out and showing their support for Unity in general in the streets of Basseterre”.
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