“We” Movement submits list
of demands to political parties
PHILIPSBURG/St. Maarten--A group of approximately 40 close friends from all around the island has formed a movement it calls the “WE” movement with the objective of presenting to all political parties in the election race a list of demands that it believes a party should comply with in order to receive its votes.
The group attends rallies of the different political parties uniformly dressed in grey shirts and jeans (or black pants) and approaches the leader of each political party with its list of demands. According to a member of the group Ramesis Gamaloodin, the party which signs the agreement will receive votes from all members of the “WE” movement.
Gamaloodin said that the group’s list of demands consists of things that the members feel need to be done and things on the island that need to be improved or changed. First on the list is the issue of rent: Members where state that house and apartment rent must be dropped by 25% of the existing value and that the rent tribunal committee must be able to function independently, consisting of a teacher, a professional contractor and local entrepreneurs. They insist that special attention be given to the houses in the Belvedere areas.
Second on their list concerns benefits for older people: These must be taken care of, including an increase in the old age pension. In general, they state that the working class, old and young, must enjoy better benefits as employees.
Third, they state that medical insurance should be issued to all persons living legally on the island: That includes all senior citizens and persons registered at the Census Office. Fourth, they suggest the water and electricity be adjusted and payment prices be lowered.
Fifth, sports complexes must be built to create activities for children and land must be designated to create sports fields for basket ball, tennis, net ball and soccer, in communities where there are a large number of young children and teenagers. Also community centres must be built where old and young can gather together to socialize.
Their sixth point states that all schools must be provided with at least one water cooler. The seventh point suggests that affordable houses be built for minimum wage earners. Finally, they state that all immigrants living legally on the island must have the right to invite members of their family to visit them about four times a year.
Gamaloodin is encouraging all persons interested in joining the movement to contact him at 09-527-7655. He said that this coming Sunday, April 8, group members will gather at his home in Belvedere, before heading to Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams’ birthday party, where they will approach her with their list of demands.
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