BASSETERRE St. Kitts, June 30th, 2014 -- ANGRY SHOUTS of “That ain’t fair”, “Discrimination” and “Democracy Dead” could be heard throughout the island of St. Kitts and Nevis...on Talk Shows, in backyards, in rum shops and at the ferry terminal when word spread that the Police High Command had denied the request of Team Unity (the coalition of three Opposition Parties) for the closure of Fort Street, between Central and Cayon Streets, to facilitate the opening ceremony of its Campaign Headquarters on Wednesday, June 25, 2014. The Commissioner had also refused permission for Nu Vybes, “The Sugar Band”, to participate in this historic event.
Those sympathetic to the Police were heard to say, “Don’t blame the Police. They only obeying orders.” But even those who considered themselves neutral were baffled by the directive. Blockage of major streets had been allowed in recent times for social and political events. They recalled the occasion of the opening of the Central Basseterre Constituency Office of St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Candidate, the Hon Marcella Liburd. Chairs and a tent were erected in the blocked street sections and a band was in attendance.
Closure of roads in downtown Basseterre had occurred on Fridays and Saturdays in the past when vehicular traffic is at its highest, so it was not understood why this function could not be accommodated after working hours on a Wednesday. As no justification was given for the denial and Police would not comment, the majority expressing an opinion felt that Team Unity was justified in declaring “the decision of Commissioner Walwyn in this situation to be flawed, unfair, and clearly demonstrative of a bias.”
It was the constant chant of “Dougie the Dictator” that led to a ‘revisit’ of “THE DICTATOR’S HANDBOOK, a step by step practical manual written by Randall Wood & Carmine Deluca. Did this baffling behaviour that went beyond the norms of democracy really point to dictatorial tendencies on the part of the leader of this nation? The chapter referred to was Chapter 8 – UNREST, DEMONSTRATIONS, RIOTS.
These are the relevant excerpts.... you be the judge.
• Keeping people off the streets will prevent them from massing and causing more trouble. Declare a curfew ...and keep people in their homes after dark. Anyone out and about is likely rallying supporters against you: bring them in for questioning.”
• ......You can simply make things difficult for the protesters and discourage them from assembling downtown and launching a rally.
• “On the grounds that yours is a society that dislikes chaos and violence, insist on the state’s right and obligation to ensure order; if you are unable to provide it, declare the proposed rally or protest illegal.
• “....If you’d prefer something more subtle (than a curfew) simply prevent people from congregating in groups that might lead to more organized demonstrations. As the Belarusians became more subtle in their protest techniques, President Lukashenko clamped down, producing draft legislation that would criminalize the gathering of a group “for a previously planned action or inaction” Such a move legitimizes your next step – bringing in your security forces to crush the demonstration – and sets up the protesters for being considered responsible for their own rotten fate......
These are but some of the dictatorial guidelines which may be operating here.
Those who attended the Official Opening Ceremony on Wednesday clearly saw that People Power prevailed over Police Power for the crowd was so large that the road was effectively closed off and vehicles avoided using that road altogether. What purpose then did the Police denial serve?
One must ask what will be the next step. Is the answer for the Police to use more force and dispel crowds that gather or will they align themselves to UNITY in thought and action which will redound the benefit of ALL. Even dictators have term limits imposed by the people and when they fall their supporters fall with them. TOGETHER IS BETTER.
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