Another government protest, led by members of the Jamaica diaspora, is being planned in New York on Friday.
They intend to gather outside the Jamaican Consulate’s offices at 300 East 42nd Street in Manhattan, advocating for increased governmental involvement with the diaspora on crucial issues like crime, corruption, healthcare, electoral participation, and more.
Christopher Benjamin, spokesperson for the Jamaican Consulate in New York, anticipates that the event may draw media attention but doesn’t foresee it disrupting consulate operations or worsening the situation following the recent US State Department travel advisory.
Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett recently highlighted Jamaica’s tourism sector’s remarkable performance in the fiscal year 2023/24. Gross earnings are projected to hit US$4.38 billion, marking a 9.6% increase, with stopover arrivals and cruise arrivals also on the rise. Stopover arrivals are estimated at 2.96 million, a 9.4 percent increase, with cruise arrivals projected to reach 1.34 million, up by nine percent from the previous period in 2022/23.
Jamaica’s principal airports in Kingston and Montego Bay also saw impressive revenue of US$200.28 million or $30 billion from a record-breaking 6.96 million passengers.
Benjamin emphasizes the government’s respect for the right to protest while noting that Consul General Alsion Wilson has yet to receive a meeting request from the organizing groups, namely the Jamaica Diaspora Crime Intervention and Prevention Task Force and the newly formed Global Jamaica Diaspora Council. He reassures that Wilson remains open to dialogue on community concerns.
“Consul General Wilson maintains a welcoming approach and is always willing to discuss issues that affect our community,” said Benjamin.”
He added: “The Government remains committed to open dialogue, and continues to extend an invitation to all parties interested in constructive engagement.”
Despite the government’s diplomatic overtures, protest organizers are forging ahead with plans for Friday’s event, having secured permits from the NYPD. Dr. Rupert Francis, leading the Diaspora Crime Intervention and Prevention Task Force, underscored their determination for meaningful engagement despite past governmental inaction.
“We are where we are at this point because of a lack of any meaningful Government response to our concerns in the past… However, we are willing to engage in all meaningful dialogue, but the protest on the 10th, and others, will go forward,” he said.
Follows ‘successful’ Miami protest
The May 10 protest will follow one held in Miami on January 9 this year.
According to Francis, about 70 placard-bearing people showed up at the venue for the protest which took the form of a rally. It saw addresses from speakers such as Wilfred Rattigan, a former Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent and attorney, and blogger Carlos ‘Jamaican Carlos’ Grey. Some 3000 additional people tuned in online.
Other protest demonstrations have been announced for Washington, DC; Canada; and the United Kingdom.
Notice of the plans for countrywide protests at offices managed by the Jamaican Government in the US was given to Ambassador Audrey Marks, Jamaica’s most senior diplomat in the US, last December.
