Angry vendors protest continued closure of Boston Jerk Centre

Angered over what they described as the prolonged closure of the Boston Jerk Centre in Portland by health officials due to sanitary concerns, jerk vendors on Friday blocked the main thoroughfare to protest the lockdown. 

The vendors have lashed out at public health inspectors for what they are alleging is a deliberate attempt to frustrate them, arguing that they have met the requirements prescribed by the local health authority following the closure on September 6.

"We were hoping for reopening of the facility yesterday [Thursday] but were told that we had to undergo some training through Heart Trust," a vendor, who gave his name only as Mikey, said.

Yesterday, public health inspectors carried out another assessment of the facility with a decision made to keep the Boston Jerk Centre closed to the public. 

Councilor for the area, Athlee Cleary, has encouraged vendors to adopt best practises in ensuring that they can, not only earn from their livelihood in a sustainable way, but to also ensure that proper health practises are adhered to.

The police are at the scene and the roadway only has single-lane traffic at this time as the protesters earlier used stones, bottles, and other debris to block the main thoroughfare. 

The roadblocks were mounted about 5:00 a.m. Friday.

- Gareth Davis Snr

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