A massive crowd estimated at 10,000 took to the streets of Basseterre on Monday2 May, to rally and support the St Kitts Nevis Labour Party and its trades union base the St Kitts Nevis Trades and Labour Union. Traditionally the day is marked by demonstrations, marches, and observances to mark the struggles and sacrifices endured to bring about meaningful change and empowerment of workers rights and living conditions.
Hundreds of government employees defied ” Do Not March” orders by their bosses and marched alongside private sector workers and members of the opposition. Late last month civil servants repeatedly stated that government officials called them into meetings and threatened their jobs if they were to March. A press release issued late Friday by Miss Valencia Grant, the press secretary to Prime Minister Timothy Harris, downplayed the claims. She proceeded to publish the restrictions on civil servants as per the civil code, an obvious attempt to deter participation.
“A public officer shall not engage in party political activity at any time, including,
(a) Holding office or taking part in any political organisation;(b) Engaging in political controversy or publicly criticizing the policy of the Government or departments of Government;(c) Writing letters to the press, publishing books or articles, circulating leaflets or pamphlets or participating in radio or television broadcast on political matters;(d) Canvassing in support of political parties or in any way publicly supporting or indicating support for any political party or candidate.”
However, lawyers including opposition parliamentarian the Hon. Marcella Liburd pointed out that the demands in the civil code are unconstitutional, thus unenforceable. They also cited a 1989 ruling by the London based Privy Council that upheld the rights of a permanent secretary to demonstrate against the Antiguan government. She told a public meeting the night before “the constitution is the supreme law of the land and the civil code is unconstitutional.”
The traditional Labour day march got underway Monday morning after 11 o’clock wending its way through the streets of Basseterre after the visits to the graves of the fallen Labour leaders including First National Hero, Sir Robert Bradshaw, national heroes Sir. Paul Southwell and Sir Joseph France along with Labour stalwarts Sir Lee Moore, Fitzroy Bryant, St John Payne, Charles Mills and Fidel O’Flaherty, led by a massive 150 Pom-Pom girls, Labour Union and Labour Party representatives, Marchers waved, sang and danced to religious and secular songs played by DJ’s and bands including the popular Nu Vybes band and Real Right Entertainment.Many chanted “Harris Must Go” as they made their way along the prescribed parade route. During the march, leaders of the Movement used the public address systems to highlight the continued subversion of democracy in St Kitts-Nevis, corruption and the lack of good governance by the Timothy Harris led administration.
The majority of people in the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis are unhappy with the performance of the 15 month old Team Unity Government (TUG). Supporters of the government have also publicly expressed their disappointment with the Harris led triad coalition. They claimed they were deceived during the election campaign, as many promises that were to be fulfilled in the first 100 days were not kept. Dissatisfied supporters of TUG also joined the march and joined the call for Harris’ resignation.
“Harris is a dictator” was also visible on several placards.