Appeal for preservation of peace and goodwill

THE EDITOR, Madam:

It is not business as usual for the 63 members of parliament, which includes the prime minister, opposition leader, ministers, opposition spokespersons; there are also the 21 members of the Senate – 13 who represent the Government and eight for the Opposition. By now, it should be abundantly understood that those of us whose ancestors were brought here as slaves had suffered the inhumane indignity and deprivation of healthcare and education that had borne bad fruits, and had left us divided and so disorganised among ourselves.

Some of these elected members seem to have become stooges and continue to advance deprivation and denial of our God-given rights. It cannot, and will not, continue this way. This part of God’s earth known as Jamaica will not be left to the whims and fancy of the greedy few.

I call on the people of African descendant across the country to demand of these elected officials that no land utilisation and/or development should be permissible without the full participation of the people. There should be transparency and community involvement, and there should be regular town hall meetings which will enable the people to know about the processes and have their voices hear.

It had been proven on numerous occasions that elected officials are abusing their privileges. Let us wake up and work together for the common good of all.

For instance, Haiti got freedom from the French over 230 years ago, but they are suffering at the hands of their leaders. The disaster and retrogression have resulted in taking law in their own hands.

Let us change the course now.

HENRY MORANT