Letters

Throwing the first stone

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Bruce Golding, leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, made it very clear that the demonstrations held on Tuesday, September 6, were to be peaceful. In Mandeville, under the leadership of Deputy Mayor Sally Porteous, this was done by keeping the people calm when they wanted to vent their feelings by blocking the roads about how they were being treated by an indifferent Government.

Imagine my shock when we were demonstrating on both sides of the road near the market, when a special constable came between us and said, "If they don't move back mi will tek the police car and run over them." I asked her what she said and she repeated the statement three times. I had to calm the crowd by explaining I would go to the officer in charge and complain. One knows how explosive this could be. We were able to keep the peace in the face of this kind of provocation.

I would like to mention that the so-called most feared constituency of West Kingston under the leadership of Mr. Golding demon-strated peacefully until shots were fired at them and all they did was run off the streets but they kept the peace. No reprisal. Was someone expecting war to break out? Was that the plan?

I am, etc.,

BINGROY C. ELLIOTT

Mandeville

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