A defiant Opposition Leader Andrew Holness says that he will be out this morning leading a peaceful demonstration against yesterday’s increases in bus fares.
Holness ignored the Government’s compromise in halving the 200 per cent increase on fares for the elderly, stating that the country has now reached a point where the people cannot continue to accept increases triggered by the Government’s inefficiency.
He said that it is time that the Government learn that it has to stop compressing the economy, freezing wages, and increasing costs to the public, and start growing the economy.
Holness, who was speaking to a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) North West St Andrew constituency at their Red Hills Road head office, said, that the planned demonstration is not political.
“We are a political party that is not just for Labourites. We must appeal to every Jamaican; whether you are rich or yuh poor, whether you are uptown or downtown. We provide a political platform for everybody. That’s my policy,” he stated.
He explained that this was the basis on which he had sought the support of other organisations which were concerned about the increases in bus fares.
“We are not going to block no road… we are demonstrating by going to a place of significance, with our message written and verbally, to show the Government how serious we are in opposition to these increases,” Holness said.
He urged JLP supporters to wear the national colours – black, green and gold – and accommodate all who wish to join the protest, including supporters of the governing People’s National Party.
He said that JLP supporters have had an “awesome duty and responsibility” placed on them by the rest of Jamaica to stand up publicly and protest for those who are afraid to say “enough is enough”, for whatever reason.
However, Holness said that today’s demonstration would not be a one-off activity.
“This protest is not the end. This is the beginning of the change… You will have to make the change for the rest of Jamaica,” he told the cheering supporters, who braved the heavy rains to hear him. (Jamaica Observer)