BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THOUSANDS of citizens and residents of the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis this afternoon (Jun. 26) marched through the streets of Basseterre in protest against the Dr. Denzil Douglas-led Administration and culminated at the Independence Square, where a Rally was held by the People’s Action Movement (PAM) and the recently-launched People’s Labour Party (PLP).
The march, which started from Greenlands Park, was led by PAM’s Leader Hon. Shawn Richards and a number of the political party’s Executives who were followed by a long train of people that included preachers, civil servants and small business entrepreneurs.
Even though permission was initially denied by the Commissioner of Police, organisers of the march were adamant that some form of protest would be held. And shortly before the protesters had gathered at the assembly point, the authorities buckled under the pressure and granted permission for the march.
The protest march however reached a highpoint when a left was made from College Street onto Liverpool Row from where it seemed as if the protesters intended to proceed onto Church Street. Their intention was however thwarted by heavy police presence at the bottom of Church Street blocking any protester from going in that direction.
The protestors however complied as they stood in front of the officers chanting “unity is strength” and singing “we shall overcome”.
At the Rally, Richards told the gathering, which had significantly increased from the time they left Greenlands, that he was pleased with the turnout and thanked them for their support, while urging them to ensure that the Unity concept is successful at the upcoming General Elections.
He was supported by other members of his party in his call for unity and as well as PLP’s Leader Dr. Timothy Harris.
Today, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas accused members of the Opposition of “ambush marketing” as the police conceded to allow the march.
Dr. Douglas, at his monthly press conference said that the Opposition sought take advantage of the international media which arrived in St. Kitts for the annual Music Festival.
“First of all, I don’t think the Opposition has thousands to bring to the streets. They have been calling for 5 000 marchers for the last six months...they will not even get 500.
“The opposition has a problem; it has not been getting any traction for the last six months. So the international is here for the Music Festival and so they are engaging in a strategy and a tactic of ambush marketing,” Dr. Douglas said.
