UPDATE: Protest action awaiting police permission
This is according to Julio Sam Henry, who stated that he was advised that he needed to apply for a permit under the Noise Abatement Act in order to secure the permission necessary to conduct the protest.
“We can’t move forward unless we’re complying with the law, I don’t want any problem with the law,” Henry said, “this is a peaceful demonstration.”
Henry highlighted that the proposed rally is not simply about taxi drivers, but also included business owners, persons who have been laid off and also those who have allegedly been victimised “the economy is bad, people are frustrated, frustrated with the information that’s coming from the Premier’s Office,” Henry said.
A meeting is scheduled for 5PM today, October 23, 2013 at the Quality Taxi Stand for all interested parties to discuss issues and to coordinate the motorcade which is expected to be held on Friday, October 25, 2013.
The talk show host said people of the territory were hurting and losing their jobs and he alleged that Long Bay resort employees related that expatriates on work permit were being called back to work while local VIslanders, who are qualified and have been there for over twenty years, were not being called back to work.
“When they’re calling the Labour Department, the Labour Department is ducking them,” Henry further alleged.
Henry said the group wants government to address victimisation in the territory and felt victimisation should stop. He also noted that the constitution gives persons the right to speech and to assemble.
He disclosed that the rally is set to take place from Duffs Bottom where persons will assemble with their cars before proceeding to town and up to Port Purcell and return to Central Administration Complex where cars and boats can congregate near the shore and all will be allowed to participate.
See previous story posted October 19, 2013:
Planned demonstration on cruise pier & economy postponed
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Residents have postponed a planned demonstration to vent their concerns on the status of the local economy as well as the direction being taken with the cruise pier project.
The demonstration, which was expected to take place from 10 A.M. on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at the Central Administration complex in Road Town, was postponed due to the Premier’s planned trip to Brazil next week.
During a press conference held with members of the media yesterday, October 18, 2013 Premier Dr The Hon. D. Orlando Smith said he will travel to Brazil with Chairman of the BVI Tourist Board, Russell Harrigan and Worldwide Marketing Consultant Nerdin St. Rose to further assert the VI’s presence in the Brazilian market.
“As you already know, I have charged the BVI Tourist Board with finding strategic ways of increasing annual stay-over arrivals by 10 percent. I see this as important if we are to reduce the Territory’s dependency on a few source markets,” Premier Smith said.
According to the leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration, his team will be making sales calls to major travel agents and tour operators and will also be having a media luncheon planned with approximately 25 media houses; a round table discussion with owners of eight major tour operators and a partnership with the organisers of Travel Week to host a launch reception for over 100 industry professionals in Rio.
“I am looking forward to this important trip to set the stage in welcoming South America to these Virgin Islands,” Dr Smith remarked.
Meanwhile, one of the organisers, Mr Julio Sam Henry previously stated that the demonstration was planned “to highlight the economic situation in the country and to raise concerns again about Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line and to demand that the government show us their economic plans for the Territory.”
The organisers had asked that business owners connected directly or indirectly to the cruise industry come out in support of the demonstration.
“It’s not just about taxis, [but] everybody who has a stake in the industry,” Henry related. “Anybody that has a concern, family members that are connected to taxi operators, livery operators, you have a small business that has been affected by the economy for the past year… we want to hear some solutions so… we want to show some solidarity.”
A new date for the demonstration is expected to be announced shortly.
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35 Responses to “UPDATE: Protest action awaiting police permission”
People losing jobs, utilities increasing, children hungry, crime escalating, businesses closing, banks foreclosing on properties, featival performers notpaid, sewage running in the districts, judge say the courtroom needs HGTVeven people being victimized -- and they're working.
You really
Get rid of p***k****g who selling out the country!!!!!!!, Ronnie really dont care as he never really wanted to run for elections in the first place, give doc a backbone to make some real executive decisions and stand up to L**na, Myron doing hmm ok in my book, Mark needs to get of his bully horse and be the action man we know him as and stop trying to micro manage as he could barely manage himself and the NDP could be alright.
EDC also needs to be removed as the Chairman of the BVIPA he is to much of a y*s man and not utilizing the people around him.
I went out hard for this government and they have only disappointed me thus far.