Friday October 11, 2013 marked ten months since six opposition parliamentarians courageously exercised their constitutional rights against the federation's current Prime Minster and his government.
In December of 2012, when a Motion of No Confidence was filed against the Prime Minster, none of the six opposition parliamentarians could have envisioned or in any way expect that over 300 days would pass before their constitutional challenge would find a place on the order paper to eventually be debated in parliament.
Many suggest that before the entire world, a galloping dictatorship is in full bloom on the twin island federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and full confidence seems to elude those who support the Prime Minister. In fact, none of the other government parliamentarians or their advisors and high ups in the party have chided the Prime Minister, but have steadfastly supported the ten month long delay all the while proposing a slew of reasons to justify their obvious stalling political strategy. This delay continues to build the Unity movement and as deputy leader of Team Unity Shawn Richards declared, "The longer he delays, the bigger the Unity movement becomes."
The speaker of the house continues to support the decision of the Prime Minister and despite the fact that in parliament a majority of opposition ministers do not support the current leader, proud supporters of the ruling current leader continue to travel the road of blind ambition, feverishly holding on to power under the umbrella of full confidence.
On Friday October 11, 2013, full confidence emerged on the streets of Basseterre under the banner called Unity. For yet a third time since June 26 of this year, hundreds of citizens peacefully took to the streets of Basseterre before descending on Bank Street for an energetic and entertaining rally with several of the Unity partners. Hundreds donned their white shirts and waved the federation's flag as a show of solidarity for a unified St. Kitts and Nevis. Others bore placards with strong comments such as "Had Enough A Douglas 1989 - 2013", "Unity is Growing", "Leadership has a harder job to do than just choose sides. It MUST bring sides together", "Principia Non Homines, Some for Love of Country. Some for Love of Money and How to Divide My Family and My Country," "Unity to build Strong families and progressive communities" and "Mommy get Money, Daddy get Money, Well How Much De King Get?" just to name a few.
Without the draw of a big named band or a popular entertainer, the people of the federation marched through the streets of Basseterre boldly calling for change and an end to the 18 year tenure of Prime Minister Denzil Douglas.
The Unity partners and their ocean of supporters "tun up" Bank Street on Friday night! The highly energized and vibrant chairman for the night Mr. Mervyn Hanley introduced speaker after speaker to sensitize citizens to the various reasons for the growing political dynamic called Unity and each speaker made their case for bringing the much needed new political dispensation to the federation.
Ian Patches Liburd, the "Truth man" in constituency 1, the "Family man" Jonel Powell in constituency 2, the "Hail I man" Sam Condor in constituency 3, Shawn Richards the "No gimmicks No tricks" candidate in constituency 5, the "Dancing man" Eugene Hamilton in constituency 8 and the dynamic "Harris Again" for constituency 7 brought their messages to the people with much vigor and conviction on Friday night. They encouraged listeners and supporters to do their part to promote unity and to encourage others to join the movement now to ultimately be placed on the right side of the federation's history.
Some naysayers have shirked at the relevance of Friday's march for various reasons including the fact that a massive crowd means nothing unless it translates into votes. The Unity partners spoke on Friday night about the importance of encouraging individuals 18 and over to register to vote. They have emphasized the importance of supporting Team Unity as another election approaches and their call for unregistered citizens over 18 to ensure they are registered has been candid and consistent.
Some comments on social media have also scoffed at yet a third march insisting that nothing new has come out of marching and suggesting that for the Prime Minister, nothing has changed as he continues without a majority in parliament as if the MONC does not exist.
The people of the federation of St. Kitts-Nevis have been expressing a desire for change. However, a thirst for this political change does not include a thirst for violence and bloodshed. Many citizens understand that as a nation in a currently economic, political and social bind, it will be extremely difficult to rebuild two islands brought to ruin by violence. Those who are partnering under the Unity banner are patriotic minded, law abiding citizens who do not wish to see the thirty year old independent nation in tatters. How can they in all fairness advocate Unity in one breath and sanction violence in the next?
Yet again, the people have taken to the streets in handsome numbers. The Unity momentum is building and the obvious strategy by the government of ignoring the MONC is drawing the public's attention to the wanton disregard of the Prime Minister for the constitution. Will the delay really help Dr. Douglas or will the delay sway hearts, minds and votes to Team Unity?
As the suspense in this unprecedented political saga boils over, the Unity movement continues to keep the flame of Unity alight, mending fences and building bridges along the way.
Time holds the answer to what will happen next.
