BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRIME MINISTER the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas has made an appeal for violence-free elections, but encouraged that people who become victims of violence should be prepared to defend themselves.
His call was made last evening (Jan. 27) during a St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) political meeting at which the bell was rung signalling that the next General Elections would be held on February 16, 2015.
“And so I want for this election, apart from being fair, with fair boundaries, I want it to be violent-free. I don’t want any violence. It must be violence free, no political violence.
“But I ask you, if you are being in anyway a subject of violence, you got to protect yourself and defend yourself as well. Hear wah ah tell you? Eh? We aine gun lie down with our two hands beside us you nuh. We don’t want no violence but I tell you all already, is only warriors I want with me.”
Standing before thousands, Dr. Douglas vociferously expressed that persons must not retreat if they become the victims of violence, but should “stand up” for their rights.
“We don’t want no violence…but we aine going to be no victim of violence…You must defend yourself at every turn and don’t you ever back back, don’t you ever stand down. Stand up for your rights! This is your country, this is your government, this is your party. And I say to you, let it be violence-free, let it be violence-free but remember…”
Dr. Douglas’ statements were well-received by the cheering crowd.
Political pundits have expressed that the upcoming General Elections are expected to be one of the more politically-charged this Federation has even seen, especially with the major happenings that took place over the past couple of years.
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