Humbled: Tivoli loses its bravado

[ReggaeMike]

Not sure if Tivoli's gangsters have really lost their bravado as from the response by at least one lady in the article below seems to imply that for at least some denizens there the threat of death at the hands of the gangsters if they step out of line still seems to be present:

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...ravado_7660260

Humbled: Tivoli loses its bravado
BY ERICA VIRTUE Sunday Observer writer virtuee@jamacaobserver.com
Sunday, May 30, 2010


THE bravado of Tivoli Gardens residents who, dressed in white, vowed two weeks ago to die for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke -- a man indicted by the United States on charges of drug- and gun-running -- was nowhere to be found Thursday when the media were allowed a one-hour tour of the embattled community.

Hours after the sun came up on the fifth day of the military operation in the feared inner-city enclave that served as Coke's stronghold, women and young girls, who had given loud and vociferous support in his defence, were noticeably quiet. After previously announcing their willingness to die for Coke, against whom Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced on May 17 extradition proceedings would begin, the Sunday Observer could find no one still willing to breathe their last breath for him.

Journalists are escorted by Jamaica Defence Force soldiers during a media tour of Tivoli Gardens last Thursday. (Photo: Michael Gordon)
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"Are you still willing to die for Dudus?" the Sunday Observer asked the first woman we encountered.

She hissed her teeth before saying in a dismissive tone: "Woman, yuh nuh si seh wi need food, a dat wi need right now."

She then dragged a younger woman with her back behind the closed door from which they had come.

It was a question the Sunday Observer would ask another 11 or 12 times and the response was almost always the same....

[ReggaeMike]

..........As the Sunday Observer passed a house on the corner of one of the streets, the groans of an elderly woman ripped through the air.

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. The God of Jacob, the God of Meshach and Abednego. When will this suffering end? Jesus, Jesus, Jesus," she cried continuously.

Around the corner, at the intersection of Bustamante Highway, a woman in a white top fell to the ground, and in dramatic fashion began writhing as though 'in the spirit'. When no one paid her any attention, she simply got up.

The Sunday Observer returned to the original question. A woman speaking directly with the newspaper, but with her eyes darting to where other residents were, said, "Miss, everybody asking why we never leave; we couldn't leave. If we did leave, dem would a kill wi," she said through clenched teeth, apparently not wanting anyone to read her lips.

She was one of the few who ventured out of her house, and she said a few people who did leave had their houses burnt.

The vast majority of individuals spoke from behind drawn curtains and cracked doors, and did not want to give their names. Several children peered from behind these obstacles and would not answer, when asked if they had received food. Looking nervous and seemingly for permission from nearby adults, they dropped their eyes but did not answer.