Tragedy sparks debate over youth involvement in political campaigns
Published:Tuesday | February 20, 2024 | 12:14 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
The tragic death of 15-year-old Lamar Grey, who fell from a political campaign bus during a motorcade in Portmore, St Catherine, has ignited a debate over whether children should be involved in political campaigns.
Grey’s untimely demise has prompted scrutiny over the supervision and safety measures surrounding such events.
Raymond Pryce, People’s National Party (PNP) caretaker for the St Catherine East Central constituency, yesterday acknowledged the need for age limits in campaign involvement.
“The simple answer is ‘yes’,” Pryce told The Gleaner.
He however emphasised the importance of supervision and control on campaign buses.
“The tragedy is not in him attending, but him falling to his death and, on all sides, everybody should appreciate a mother taking her last child who is 15 with her to a political event,” Pryce contended.
Children’s Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison, in the meantime, is supportive of youth participation in politics as a means of civic education and awareness. Nonetheless, she yesterday stressed the necessity of ensuring safe and supervised environments for young participants, advocating for parental guidance and hands-on supervision.
“I hold the view that teenager should be facilitated in participating in politics because it is a part of the child becoming consciously aware of things which are of civic importance or national relevance,” she argued.
“Where I take issue is with the circumstances which surround that involvement. If they are unsafe and full of all kinds of problematic exposures that make them vulnerable, that’s a problem.”
“What we should look at is the guidance that must come, from whatever parental authority, for those children interested in politics,” she said.
REVISIT SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Gordon Harrison didn’t assign blame to political leaders for Grey’s death, but called for a re-evaluation of safety protocols, including the reintroduction of a marshalling system to monitor campaign buses effectively. She emphasised the importance of educating drivers on their responsibilities and legal obligations to ensure the well-being of participants.
PNP President Mark Golding, offering condolences and financial support to Grey’s family, echoed the call for a review of safety measures, emphasising the need to address weaknesses in previous systems.
“We have to look at what were the weaknesses in the marshalling system why it was discontinued, and if we are going to reintroduce it how it can be done,” Golding suggested as he stressed that something must be done.
Reports suggest tension between rival factions in the communities of Gulf and Gregory Park may have influenced Grey’s mother’s decision to take him on the campaign motorcade out of fear for his safety.
Grey’s mother, Andrea Williams, did not directly address the gang issue, but acknowledged that she had to pull her son from Cumberland High School because of the tension between Gulf and a section of Gregory Park where he had to walk to get to school.
“I stop him because a di tension in the area. Mi a plan to send him to another school, mi even tell the guidance counsellor,” she said.