Protesters oppose Jamaica-US third country national MOU

A group of protesters mounted a demonstration on Tuesday morning, objecting to the controversial memorandum of understanding between Jamaica and the United States on third country nationals.

The demonstrators argued that Jamaica should not be making arrangements to house criminals or prisoners while some people affected by a hurricane are still living under tarpaulin. One protester said, "People down there after Hurricane still under tarpaulin and you are going to find place to put criminal. That can't be right."

The remarks captured the resistance voiced by people on the street to the agreement with the United States. Their objection, as expressed during the protest, was that Jamaica should not be taking on that responsibility.

A second protester also rejected the idea, while referring to Donald Trump, the Prime Minister and access to money, medication and other resources. The speaker said, "You said that Donald Trump hasn't anything to the Prime Minister or to the people who have money, who have medication, and all of the good stuff. We don't need no prisoners cuz we have enough hotel already."