Hundreds rally in Cross Roads over corruption, US deportation deal and governance concerns

Hundreds of Jamaicans gathered in Cross Roads, St Andrew, this morning to protest and raise concerns about what they say is a country mired in corruption and lacking moral and ethical leadership.

The protesters, who wore yellow and represented a wide cross-section of society, criticised the Government for entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States to accept third-country nationals, a development first reported by The Gleaner two weeks ago.

Participant after participant expressed the view that the Government had disrespected the Jamaican people by failing to respond to questions about the details of the MOU.

The protesters also raised concerns about the ethical dilemma facing Government Minister Dr Andrew Wheatley, who is the subject of an indicative ruling by the Director of Investigation at the Integrity Commission recommending that he be charged with illicit enrichment after failing to account for more than $160 million within the space of a year.

The commission's ruling, which was recently tabled in Parliament, said Wheatley could not account for the discrepancy between his declared earnings and his net worth.

Another issue raised by the protesters was what they described as the Government's continued failure to spend funds collected on behalf of Jamaicans affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Organiser Kay Osbourne said she was very pleased with the turnout, noting that the rally brought together various groups, individuals, and members of the political class.

"We invited everybody. We invited the two political parties, and we thank them for coming. This is about a Jamaica for all of us. This is not a country being run by a king, where after the King speaks, nobody else can. We are in a moral and ethical crisis, and that is why we were here this morning, because somebody has to take a stand," Osbourne told The Gleaner, inter alia.

She said the Jamaican people deserved better and deserved more, adding that the Government's behaviour to date meant it could not be trusted in a democracy.

Osbourne said the organisers would conduct a post-mortem on the event, but stressed that today's protest would not be the last.

Among those in attendance were scores of people carrying placards bearing messages such as: "Stand Up for Jamaica," "Stop Disrespect the People," "Spend Melissa Money," "We Do Not Want No TCNs Here," "Freedom Come," and "Andrew Wheatley Must Go."

Political representatives were present at the event, but none spoke from the podium.

Also among the crowd were retired professionals who said they were grandparents and wanted a better Jamaica for their grandchildren.

They said they were there to show support and stand in solidarity with the organisers, the issues being raised, and what they described as the Government's defiance in not responding to public concerns.

A heavy police presence was observed from a distance, with officers assisting people to cross the road safely to the platform beneath the clock tower.

At exactly 9:29 a.m., one minute before the scheduled end of the rally, the National Anthem was played.

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