Tweet
Four turn up for 'anti-budget' rally
Karyl Walker
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
ONLY a handful of protesters, four to be exact, turned out for yesterday's demonstration at the National Heroes Circle against the 2009/10 budget unveiled by the Government last month.
Included among the protesters were Lloyd D'Aguilar, convener of the Campaign for Social and Economic Justice (CSEJ) that organised the demonstration, and social activist Phillip Gutzmore.
Protesters Allan Martin (left) and Paul Ward solicit support from motorists at the southern entrance of the National Heroes Park yesterday. (Photo: Michael Gordon)
D'Aguilar on Monday decided to stage a peaceful protest at the park after a request for permission to march from the park to Gordon House on Duke Street was turned down.
He said he was not discouraged despite the lack of support.
"We were not expecting thousands of people to turn out, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," he told the Observer.
D'Aguilar had called for support to send a strong message to the Government that the recently announced budget was oppressive and had nothing in it for the poor.
But yesterday, placards that were apparently prepared for the protesters were instead tied to the park's fence as there were no takers.
D'Aguilar, however, said the protest had the blessings of most Jamaicans, in spite of their absence.
"What we represent is supported by the majority of the people in Jamaica. The masses of the people are against the oppressive tax. What we are doing is just," he said, adding that he would continue with his campaign.
"It will be a sustained effort," he told the Observer.
Karyl Walker
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
ONLY a handful of protesters, four to be exact, turned out for yesterday's demonstration at the National Heroes Circle against the 2009/10 budget unveiled by the Government last month.
Included among the protesters were Lloyd D'Aguilar, convener of the Campaign for Social and Economic Justice (CSEJ) that organised the demonstration, and social activist Phillip Gutzmore.
Protesters Allan Martin (left) and Paul Ward solicit support from motorists at the southern entrance of the National Heroes Park yesterday. (Photo: Michael Gordon) D'Aguilar on Monday decided to stage a peaceful protest at the park after a request for permission to march from the park to Gordon House on Duke Street was turned down.
He said he was not discouraged despite the lack of support.
"We were not expecting thousands of people to turn out, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," he told the Observer.
D'Aguilar had called for support to send a strong message to the Government that the recently announced budget was oppressive and had nothing in it for the poor.
But yesterday, placards that were apparently prepared for the protesters were instead tied to the park's fence as there were no takers.
D'Aguilar, however, said the protest had the blessings of most Jamaicans, in spite of their absence.
"What we represent is supported by the majority of the people in Jamaica. The masses of the people are against the oppressive tax. What we are doing is just," he said, adding that he would continue with his campaign.
"It will be a sustained effort," he told the Observer.
Comment