By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 18th February 2022) — “Democracy only can come if you demand it. It will not be given to you by this Prime Minister that is in office. So folks, demand your democracy,” said organiser Jefroy Morrishaw following a protest march dubbed ‘IN SOLIDARITY WITH SKN POLICE’ held on Thursday 17th February 2022. The march kicked off from the Pelican Mall on the Bay Road from 3PM as participants went about the route onto College Street, Liverpool Rowe, Fort Street, Cayon Street, Square Street and Bank Street. Among those in the march were businessman Carlton Dupont, social and political commentator Dwyer Astaphan, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labour Sam Condor, and social and political activist Earle Clarke. On-duty police officers on foot and in vehicles monitored the march peacefully.
Morrishaw recounted the difficulty in obtaining a march permit, having been turned down in his first application and subsequently required to meet with the Assistant Commissioner of Police to discuss the route. “In principle the permit was approved but it was still left up to the Commissioner to do the final check,” he said, ultimately receiving approval after agreeing to adjust the routing away from the police station and Government Headquarters.
Morrishaw called on members of the public to ease up on criticising the police: “There are people in this government that are directing the police forces. The police on their own would do everything that is right but their hands are tied. For you people out there that are picking on the police, you got to ease up on the police and attack these ministers of government — they are the ones that are the problem, not our police officers.”