“Street Protest” threats causes jitters for tourism sector

The threat made by the opposition in the house yesterday to “ take to the streets” have not gone unnoticed by those wishing to visit Jamaica.

Last night I received a number of messages and I will mention the narrative below.

A number of concerned persons have been making contacts with me asking

Person #1 “ Jay you have your ears close to the ground, we want to visit Ja during April, given this threat do you think its safe to do so.

My response ” The threat has been made by the power hungry opposition leader, who chances of become PM of this country has slipped from his grasps and is nothing more than an attention seeking statement from a  delusional individual at this time”.

Person #1  ” So are you suggesting its safe to come”

My Response ” Truth be told, the opposition is capable of doing just about anything under the guise of protecting our democracy, so they could indeed organize street protest. If that happens then it would not be a good idea to be here at that point in time”

Person #2   ” Jay is there a possibility of street protest in Jamaica and if so, what is the likely outcome”

Jay ” Its hardly likely that civil society would support such a move given the fragility of the economy, which simply cannot take any further shocks at this time”

Person #2  ” So are you suggesting its an empty threat”

Jay “ No , I am not suggesting that, but I think it would be the death knell of the party leader if he was to take such an action. It would signal the end of his leadership and the party conference this year”

Person #2  ” So, why have civil society not yet reacted to this statement”

Jay ” I think the are more focus on the so called self proclaim constitutional crises as it relates to the appointment of the CJ and the threat is poses to the stability of the country”

Person #2  “ But hold on , is the threat of opposition street protest not a greater threat to the stability of the country and the view of the political stability of the county in the eyes of the world

Jay ” That’s the Jamaican paradox my friend”

The opposition leader’s statement poses a clear and present danger to the rule of law and order in this country and, any organized street protest at this time, could have disastrous impact on the fragile state of the economic growth we are experiencing.

The opposition leader therefore needs to use the same forum he used to make those misguided statements, to unreservedly withdraw them and issue a public apology after which he should resign!