The eagerly anticipated March for Democracy that had to be postponed due to inclement weather associated with the passage of Hurricane Dean has been rescheduled to be held on Thursday 13th September. A new public campaign to again raise awareness both of the event itself as well as the critical issues surrounding the Electoral Reform Process that have become matters of serious concern kicked off on Wednesday 29th August with a Townhall meeting in Sandy Point. This was the first in a series of Townhall meetings that were held in several communities around the island including Bourryeau on 30th August, Old Road on 3rd September, West Basseterre at the PAM Headquarters 4th September, Cayon on 5th September and Newtown on 6th September.
The people came out in their numbers at each meeting despite the lack of any majour advertising which is clear indication of the strong popular resonance of the issue of Electoral Reform. The most critical issues identified repeatedly wherever the meetings were held included strong opposition to any registration of voters overseas, a marked preference for a Voter ID card rather than a National ID card, the use of fingerprints to identify voters and the pressing need for an enumeration exercise and a new voters list. The attitude of disdain that has been displayed by this Labour Administration whenever there is any expression of an opposing opinion about Electoral Reform has also been noted with concern.
There is little doubt that the People’s Action Movement has tapped into a latent fear shared by many in society that the needed free, fair and transparent Electoral Reform process that is desired by the majority will not happen without a fight. Despite the consistent effort on the part of this Labour Administration to marginalize and politicize the March for Democracy it has had little success. Most observers have expressed disgust at the transparent attempt by the Government to intimidate the people who wished to exercise their constitutional rights by scheduling a competing event on the date originally selected for the march. No one was fooled by the land launch and many noted that it was a desperate attempt by a supposedly popular Government. Additionally, many have commented on the poor taste exhibited by the Government mouthpiece on the popular program, Inside the News, to put words into someone’s mouth to try to ridicule the idea of people freely exercising their right to protest.~~Adz:Right~~
The preparations are now in high gear. A series of rallies is planned for the week culminating on Thursday 13th in addition to an advertising campaign that will rally the grassroots in this island to stand up to be counted. This march will continue the tradition of the People’s Action Movement to confront despotism in Government by using lawful and constitutional means to protest. The beginning of the PAM was heralded by a march in 1965, ironically, against the introduction of an electricity surcharge by a Labour Administration. The rallies kick off in Conaree on Saturday 8th September near the community center and will continue nightly as follows:
- Sunday 9th September – Central Basseterre/ Central St
- Monday 10th September – Old Road
- Tuesday 11th September – Sandy Point/ Mt. Idle
- Wednesday 12th September – East Basseterre/
- Thursday 13th September – Industrial Site/ March for Democracy
This is the first leg in the run – up to the next General Election which, by all indications, will be held long before it is constitutionally due in 2009. All concerned citizens are invited to come out and make their voices heard on this important matter.
