[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ollowing countless appearances on numerous TV and radio talk shows to garner support and plead their case, supporters of the St. Lucia Labour party took to the streets of Castries last Sunday in a protest march and follow-up rally. Prior to the start of the march the STAR spoke with local activist Aaron Alexander. “I will start by telling you what I’m not out here doing today. I’m not out here today to endorse any political party over another. At the end of the day we have a democracy; when the term of a government is up, then we the people decide who we going to put into office,” he stated.
“However, as a concerned citizen, as a Rastaman, I’m very concerned about healthcare in this country. I feel that the government has lost its way after over two years in their priorities in this country. Right now we’re hearing about demolition of certain buildings in the city. My goodness, our healthcare is in shambles. Wouldn’t that money y’all using to demolish those buildings be used to better the healthcare system? I’m here to send a clear message as a protestor that I do not want our healthcare to be privatized.”
The march that had been scheduled to start at 2.30 in the afternoon actually started an hour late, with participants holding up placards bearing well known calypso titles and, here and there, a Bob Marley lyric. They followed behind SLP parliamentarians, as Marley tunes blared from mobile speakers. En route to the Castries market, I engaged some of the protestors, most of whom disagreed with Mr. Alexander’s position that the two-year-old government be permitted to complete its five-year term. A man who identified himself only as Monrose said: “I’m protesting because I’ve had enough of Chastanet. I don’t want Chastanet anymore, he’s not doing nothing [sic] good for this country. I want an election. There’s too many killings. Come on man, all I need right now is an election.”
Said another: “I cannot have any regard for a government that does not support healthcare. That is of paramount importance to our country and if a government disregard that then they don’t deserve to govern. Two years going to three years now and nothing is happening at St. Jude, so definitely I’ll support a change [in government].”
Near the vendors’ arcade, close to the market, a makeshift stage awaited those who would deliver words of protest. Time and again someone said over the loudspeakers that there were many angry United Workers Party supporters among the marchers, but none was presented or interviewed by the attendant TV personnel. Perhaps Mary Polius represented the disgruntled unidentified UWPees. A long time ago she had deserted. She spoke a few words in keeping with the Allen Must Go theme, as did Paulcus Lendor, representing the SLMDA. Peter Alexander of the memberless ONE, and the LPM’s Therold Prudent also spoke. At earlier Labour Party outings both had committed themselves to the removal of Allen Chastanet before his time. Much of what they said on Sunday had been heard before.
And then it was Richard Frederick’s turn to be introduced by the day’s emcee, SLP chairman Musa JnBaptiste. Once described by former Prime Minister Kenny Anthony as “the most frightening development in the politics of this country”, Frederick was given a rousing welcome by the large crowd. “I shall continue to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves,” he said. “I shall continue to speak for those who are afraid of this vindictive prime minister in Allen Chastanet.” He took the opportunity to endorse Philip J. Pierre as Chastanet’s replacement, a change that he said would occur by this Christmas. “And Richard Frederick will lead the charge,” he promised. “I will!”
He was followed by Kenny Anthony who announced that he was “a jackass come to bray for ten minutes”. At the heart of his address was that the time had come for Saint Lucians to do to the Chastanet government what the SLP government of 1979 had done to itself in 1982. But many later spoke of the difference in situations.
The last speaker was opposition leader Philip J. Pierre. He spoke of the government’s plans to demolish certain buildings in the city, among them the old prison and the parliament building. “When they decide to do that I will call upon all the people of Saint Lucia to come with me and we stand up next to that building and let them bulldoze us. I hope you join me; I hope you join me, my brothers and sisters.”
Earlier Kenny Anthony had recommended that the people should surround the building holding hands to prevent the building’s demolition.
Finally Pierre said: “Very soon, I will be going to parliament to move a vote of no confidence in the government of Allen Chastanet.” He repeated himself on Wednesday at an SLP press conference.
