Peaceful protest draws over
95 persons with placards
PHILIPSBURG--More than 95 persons staged a peaceful protest in front of the Government Administration Building Wednesday, against what they consider lack of transparency in government.
The group held up placards that read “Transparency = democracy,” “stop ignoring the people” and “polluted beaches = no tourists,” amongst other messages, and some were wearing anti-dolphinarium T-shirts and equipped with umbrellas for the sporadic rain showers.
The protesters, clad in mostly white, gathered outside the building from 2:00 to 6:00pm, the period for which they were granted a permit. As an Island Council meeting was in session during this time, a number of the protesters took up seats in Dr. A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall so that the politicians would see them even if their presence was not acknowledged, the organisers said.
Protest organisers Jadira Veen of St. Maarten Pride Foundation, Elaine Pollock of Ocean Care, animal rights advocate Mercedes De Windt and community activist Dwight Barran were happy with the turnout, as it showed government that a cross-section of the community was fed up with the lack of information about projects such as the planned dolphinarium.
De Windt said the turnout showed that the lack of transparency in government was being felt throughout the community, as the communities of Middle Region, Dawn Beach, Belvedere and Simpson Bay, amongst others, were represented. “The turnout was good and even if we had 20 persons it would have been successful.”
Asked what the organisers hoped their protest would achieve, Pollack said, “We want answers to our concerns on various issues that affect the community because decisions are made.”
The main complaint of persons taking part in the protest was the lack of response from government when documents and information are requested about a project, and that objections made are disregarded.
A number of Dawn Beach residents who were part of the protest said they were fed up with their concerns about the “environmental and ecological disaster” caused by the Columbia Sussex Hotel Development being put aside.
“Our concerns are disregarded. We made several objections to this project and they weren’t taken up and permits have been issued despite our objections,” a representative said.
Radio personality Mercedes Wyatt (Elektra) said she was part of the protest “because the people have a right to demand and receive information from government. The practice of approving projects without informing the people has to stop. Also as taxpayers we should be able to see what our money is paying for, such as being able to visit the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities and Summerfest concerts.”
Animal Welfare Foundation representatives said government needed to be more transparent on a number of issues and should tell the people what was going on before taking decisions.
Ismenia Belliard, a Spanish-speaking island resident for some 20 years who is against the dolphinarium project and is upset about government’s disregard of the view of the people on this issue, said that instead of focusing on a dolphinarium, more attention should be paid to giving the island’s students a better education, getting more teachers and better classrooms.
Philip van Delden of Simpson Bay Health and Environmental Protection group said, “There is no transparency in government, just the pretence of it. I would like to see the people of the island being better informed by the government.”
Dentist George Scot of Middle Region/Madame Estate said he was also fed up with the lack of transparency and sloppiness of government. “Sometimes departments don’t know what is going on. Government needs to start being interested in the people and listening to them and then there will be a difference.”
“Cowboy” York of United Federation of the Windward Antilles UFA said, “I feel the people should know what is going on.” Adding that he was disappointed with the way government was conducting its business, York scolded the opposition for “not doing their homework.”
Trade unionist William Reed of Windward Islands Civil Servants Union/Private Sector Union (WICSU-PSU), who was on the scene to observe the protesters, said, “This is democracy par excellence.” His view is that everywhere in the world the system is not perfect and the fact that a permit was granted by the Lt. Governor for such a gathering shows “democracy at work in St. Maarten.”
Democratic Party Island Councilwoman Maria Buncamper-Molanus, during a break in the council meeting, said she supported any display of democracy at work, as it was the people’s right to voice their views.
National Alliance (NA) Island Council members William Marlin, Hyacinth Richardson and Frans Richardson, and People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) Island Councilwoman Gracita Arrindell took time out to speak to the protestors to get an idea about their concerns and seek ways in which they could help better the situation.
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