BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HUNDREDS donned their black and white garments for yesterday’s (Apr. 2) march against crime and violence through the streets of Basseterre, which culminated in a rally at the Warner Park Stadium.
Held under the theme “United: Working Together against Crime and Violence”, the initiative was held to highlight the nation’s strong opposition to the current wave of violent crime and the desire by persons for peace and unity.
Marchers traversed from the Patsy Allers Playing Field through troubled communities such as McKnight, the Village and Newtown to Warner Park, chanting the message of peace and vigorously waving placards denouncing crime and violence.
Representatives from the private sector, the clergy and the political leadership from both islands addressed the rally. There were also presentations by the Okolo Tegremantine dancers and calypso renditions by prominent local artistes.
In his presentation, Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas spoke glowingly of the turnout and called persons assembled “true patriots”.
“We are here today because we are fed- up of this gang violence. We are here today because you want and need to have an impact, and to make a difference. You are all concerned individuals who are ready to serve and who are reporting for duty in the fight against crime and violence,” he said.
The Prime Minister had a strong message for wrongdoers.
“To the shooters and stabbers, you are not a law unto yourselves and you will not hold any segment of society hostage. Our police and security forces will identify you, our courts will try you and our justice system will ensure you feel the full force of the law.
He also called on law-abiding citizens to reach out to troubled young persons, “If one person does all the caring, all the intervening, all the trying while the rest of us sit back, nothing will change. When our young people are running off the tracks, they must hear from their left and right and their front and back. We need to care enough as a society and not just individually.
“Whoever is not a part of the solution is a part of the problem. Everyone has to make a down payment on the type of future they want by investing their time, talent or money. Whether inside or outside of this park, you have a burning and inescapable responsibility to help halt the creation of new criminals in St. Kitts and Nevis. I urge this gathering to put aside whatever petty differences you may have and to cooperate fully to bring back peace to our nation,” Douglas declared.
In a show of solidarity, he then shook hands with Lindsay Grant, the political leader of St. Kitts’ main opposition party, the People’s Action Movement (PAM).
The rally concluded with the signing of a Declaration of the Way Forward by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC), the Christian Council and the Evangelical Association, which were also the march’s three major sponsors. According to CIC President Mark Wilkin, the Declaration is a tangible sign of their commitment to working together against crime and violence.
The march is the first in a series of initiatives to be jointly undertaken by the CIC, the St. Christian Council and the Evangelical Association.
Last year St. Kitts and Nevis recorded 23 murders, a significant increase over the 17 recorded in 2007. Additionally, police statistics indicate that reported crime rose by 10% in 2008 when compared to 2007. So far in 2009, 8 murders have been committed within the first three months of the year.
