Below are the responses of political representatives of Jamaica to the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica’s (PSOJ) emancipation park declaration ultimatum. The declaration demanded that political representatives sever ties with gunmen and other criminal elements in their constituencies, and gave the politicians until June 15, 2005 to do so publicly. It also called for the dismantling of political garrisons.
Karl Samuda (JLP General Secretary)
"We are prepared to do all we can to reduce crime, but we do not want to be held responsible for what is really the responsibility of the elected government, and the nation ought not to lose sight of that fact."
Omar Davies (Finance Minister)
Omar Davies, whose South St Andrew seat is considered as one of the main garrisons of the governing People's National Party (PNP), said yesterday that he had taken concrete steps to de-tribalise his constituency, including bringing warring factions together in "Rema" and promoting peaceful interaction with their former enemy - Tivoli Gardens - through football matches and other initiatives.
"I have gone way beyond a letter, I have opened up the constituency."
Dr Karl Blythe (PNP vice president)
Dr. Blythe said that he had no known association with any criminals and therefore could not disassociate himself. Blythe, the MP for Western Westmoreland and a former water and housing minister, also sought to explain the context in which he attended the funeral of reputed gangster, Willie Haggart a few years ago.
"As a politician you meet and shake hands with many people but I have not knowingly formed any such association. You know I come from a rural constituency, I was introduced to Willie Haggart as an influential community person, I didn't know anything about his reputation as a somebody with shady associations. It is when he died that I started to hear all sorts of things," said Blythe.
Taken from the Jamaica Observer May 28, 2005.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Old Rhetoric
The PSOJ's 2005 Declaration of Emancipation Park contains nothing new. While I agree with all the points laid out in the declaration, various entities have been calling for these steps for years. What is different about this call? Does the PSOJ think that the government is going to make an about-face because of a half day shut-down?
I also find it interesting that the declaration contained this line: "Be it resolved that effective May 25, 2005, the citizens of Jamaica hereby unite to restore law, order and freedom from fear to our country." Has the PSOJ been talking to the man in the street? Do they realise that the overwhelming view is that this lockdown "only happen 'cause a big man dead....them no really care bout we." An initiative such as this cannot be successful if there is no groundswell of support from the average man.
The token gesture by Grace Kennedy of donating half a day's profit may serve to further alienate the average man from the PSOJ. Half a day's profit. Five million dollars. More money than the minimum-wage earning Jamaican will earn in 40 years, made in half a day. Why not contribute one day's profit a month? That'll only be 3.2% of the annual profit. A small price to pay to help get the country back on track.
There has to be much more of a sacrifice on the part of Jamaican corporations if they expect to garner a modicum of support at the grass-roots level. They have to show, in a meaningful, tangible way, that they are serious about tackling crime. Rhetoric and token gestures simply won't do.
The same goes for the statement issued by the Prime Minister. The government must lead by example, not by rhetoric. If only the PM got as worked up about crime and the current state of Jamaica as he did about the CCJ perhaps we'd be in a different situation today. The country is fed up of statements with no follow up.
I also find it interesting that the declaration contained this line: "Be it resolved that effective May 25, 2005, the citizens of Jamaica hereby unite to restore law, order and freedom from fear to our country." Has the PSOJ been talking to the man in the street? Do they realise that the overwhelming view is that this lockdown "only happen 'cause a big man dead....them no really care bout we." An initiative such as this cannot be successful if there is no groundswell of support from the average man.
The token gesture by Grace Kennedy of donating half a day's profit may serve to further alienate the average man from the PSOJ. Half a day's profit. Five million dollars. More money than the minimum-wage earning Jamaican will earn in 40 years, made in half a day. Why not contribute one day's profit a month? That'll only be 3.2% of the annual profit. A small price to pay to help get the country back on track.
There has to be much more of a sacrifice on the part of Jamaican corporations if they expect to garner a modicum of support at the grass-roots level. They have to show, in a meaningful, tangible way, that they are serious about tackling crime. Rhetoric and token gestures simply won't do.
The same goes for the statement issued by the Prime Minister. The government must lead by example, not by rhetoric. If only the PM got as worked up about crime and the current state of Jamaica as he did about the CCJ perhaps we'd be in a different situation today. The country is fed up of statements with no follow up.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
What of the Fuel That Sustains the Revolution?
"The hypocrisy began at 1 pm" was one of the many catch phrases thrown around on the internet today describing the stance by the PSOJ of Jamaica to shutdown the business in Jamaica for half a day to protest the escalating crime rate in the country.
As the PSOJ takes the initiative to launch an attack against crime and violence in the country I laud the initiative and extend my support to such a valiant effort. I am concerned however by the fact that to date they have not voiced the strategies that are going to be used to maintain this fiery outburst which has as its catalyst the death of two business men who reside in May Pen.
Surely Iwould like to think that if the fuel required to keep the momentum was the death of the citizens of the country then there is no question that the fires of this movement will not go out. The fact that protesters held a mass rally in the heart of the capital to read the names of more than 650 people murdered since the start of the year attests to this fact.
But where was the outcry when the other 648 people died? Where was the PSOJ taking its stance for the masses that they now ask to support them whole heartedly in their venture.
We would like to hope that the fire that keeps this revolutionary movement going would not be the death of another affluent citizen in the country as 642 deaths later I am sure that the fire would be out.
As the PSOJ takes the initiative to launch an attack against crime and violence in the country I laud the initiative and extend my support to such a valiant effort. I am concerned however by the fact that to date they have not voiced the strategies that are going to be used to maintain this fiery outburst which has as its catalyst the death of two business men who reside in May Pen.
Surely Iwould like to think that if the fuel required to keep the momentum was the death of the citizens of the country then there is no question that the fires of this movement will not go out. The fact that protesters held a mass rally in the heart of the capital to read the names of more than 650 people murdered since the start of the year attests to this fact.
But where was the outcry when the other 648 people died? Where was the PSOJ taking its stance for the masses that they now ask to support them whole heartedly in their venture.
We would like to hope that the fire that keeps this revolutionary movement going would not be the death of another affluent citizen in the country as 642 deaths later I am sure that the fire would be out.
The shutdown
The shutdown planned today by the PSOJ "to register the concern of the business sector over the deterioration of law and order in the country" is too little, too late. The call for the shutdown, coming as it did a few days after the brutal murder of two May Pen businessmen, seems more like a reflex reaction to murders so close to home than a genuine concern for the safety of the people of Jamaica. This, coupled with the apparent inability of the PSOJ and other entities to bring pressure to bear on politicians who sit in the front pews of area leaders' funerals to resign, area leaders whom many say were directly related to the crime which the PSOJ claims to be condemning, makes this gesture by the PSOJ woefully inadequate.
What is needed is not just a half-day lockdown, but a 24 hour shutdown of all businesses, schools, factories and churches. A march on the Prime Minister's office. A more vocal PSOJ, more vocal social entities. Vocal not only when one of their own is killed, but when any Jamaican, rich or poor, is murdered. The time for cozying up to the ineffective political and social leadership of this country is over.
What is needed is not just a half-day lockdown, but a 24 hour shutdown of all businesses, schools, factories and churches. A march on the Prime Minister's office. A more vocal PSOJ, more vocal social entities. Vocal not only when one of their own is killed, but when any Jamaican, rich or poor, is murdered. The time for cozying up to the ineffective political and social leadership of this country is over.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)