J’cans stage Cockpit Country protest outside UN HQ
Published:Saturday | September 28, 2019 | 12:15 AMDave Rodney/Contributor
A number of Jamaicans yesterday staged a demonstration at the United Nations in New York to register their opposition to potential mining activities in the island’s Cockpit Country.
The effort, which was led by the Council of Overseas Maroons, saw placard-bearing Jamaicans gathering in small clusters at First Avenue near 47th Street before moving to the Jamaican Consulate on Third Avenue.
It was the second such initiative in New York this week designed to coincide with Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ trip to address the United Nations on climate change.
Another demonstration was held at the same location on Monday.
“We are an organic, spiritually led gathering, and we are here to bring attention to our concerns about bauxite mining in the Cockpit Country,” Sophia Walsh, who hails from St Catherine, told The Gleaner.
“Mining there will adversely affect the water supply, the environment, the flora, the fauna, and the cultural heritage of the Maroons, and any such plans must be scrapped immediately,“ the cultural activist implored.
The Jamaican contingent was one of several international groups protesting various issues outside of the United Nations yesterday amid heavy police and secret service presence.
Residents, environmentalists, as well as other stakeholders and supporters have rejected the Government’s Cockpit Country Protected Area boundaries, saying that it leaves out a large section of the biodiverse region, which is a major water source for western Jamaica.