Solidarity with Bolt in a melting pot of colour
Published:Wednesday | February 15, 2023 | 1:34 AMErica Virtue/Senior Gleaner Writer
As a single bell tolled, animated children and boisterous political supporters offered a colourful contrast to the pomp and pageantry of the uniformed parade marking Tuesday’s ceremonial opening of Parliament.
It was the first time since the emergence of COVID-19 that maskless supporters were allowed to gather en masse for the ritual, as the Government had imposed a ban on gatherings to suppress the virus’ spread.
The most noticeable absentee from Tuesday’s theatre was outgoing St Ann South East Member of Parliament Lisa Hanna, known for her sartorial elegance. Absent, too – with few exceptions – was the lavish dress and hat parade. Most were casually dressed, with opposition Senator Sophia Frazer-Binns a standout in resplendent blue.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness was warmly greeted by a small but jubilant group of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters at the top of Duke Street, while Opposition Leader Mark Golding pressed flesh with a larger crowd of People’s National Party (PNP) backers further down the road.
The parade, led by the Jamaica Defence Force, which formed the guard of honour, and supported by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, was completed with impeccable timing and precision and the sun, hiding behind clouds for long stretches, was kind to onlookers.
A gaunt-looking Governor General Sir Patrick Allen inspected the guard of honour, but it was the sound of bubbly schoolgirls from St George’s Primary, apparently on break, that lit up the ceremony as they shook hands with everyone in a suit and snapped photos of themselves.
Comrades and Labourites found solidarity with Jamaican athletics superstar Usain Bolt, the target of a $2-billion fraud.
The Olympian’s account at embattled investment firm Stocks & Securities Limited was fleeced mainly between 2012 and 2017.
“Bolt must get back his money! Di youth work hard for him money and all o’ we see him work for it,” said Donna Nunes, a PNP supporter from St Andrew South.
Scores of others chimed in, crafting conspiracies about how the account was emptied of US$12.7 million.
Where the Labourites gathered, similar sentiments were expressed by a man seated under a tree.
“Bolt must get back all him money. I don’t care who take it, the Government must make sure that the man get back him money. Him work hard fi it,” he said.
As the Comrades’ drumbeat grew louder at lower Duke Street, a single bell was rung by a Belmont Road supporter as she walked up and down outside the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union offices announcing the arrival of JLP officials.
“The mayor of Kingston is here,” she repeated more than 10 times, tolling the bell with fervour.
Among the large gathering of Comrades was Lawrence Rowe, who has applied to the PNP to be its representative in Kingston Central, which was recently vacated by caretaker Imani Duncan-Price.
PNP supporter Enna McDonald insisted that the country needed political change.
“The whole country mash up, and it’s going to take nuff, nuff work to fix it back, but Mark Golding can do it,” McDonald said.
But still that lone bell tolled, rallying the mainly elderly JLP supporters while the larger throng of Comrades – of varying ages – danced and danced and danced.