Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines injured during protest
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves was injured yesterday (August 5) by demonstrators.
Citizens gathered outside the house of parliament in a demonstration against a public health act to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for all frontline workers. The protest turned violent, and the Prime Minister was attacked when he attempted to enter the House of Assembly and was allegedly hit with a stone at the back of his head.
In a press release put out by the Office of the Prime Minister, it was stated that the crowd of demonstrators that gathered outside of the Assembly building blocked the vehicle driving Prime Minister Gonsalves from entering. The Prime Minister then attempted to enter by foot, and that was when he was attacked.
The release stated that the demonstrator “hurled a projectile at the Prime Minister which struck him in the head, inches above the temple.” He was then taken to Milton Cato Memorial Hospital by his security guards.
Prime Minister Gonsalves was reported kept overnight for observation. Medical professionals at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital have advised Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves to seek further medical attention in Barbados. The Prime Minister will be flown to Barbados for an MRI.
Minister of Finance, Hon. Camilo Gonsalves stated in parliament last evening, "this is not a scratch; this was an attempt on the Prime Minister's life."
The release further stated, “the Prime Minister welcomed all peaceful demonstration as a fundamental right enshrined in our Constitution but cautioned that legitimate peaceful demonstration should in no way impede parliamentarians’ rights of entrance and egress from the House of Assembly.”
The act of the perpetrator was vehemently condemned.
Vincentians have been protesting throughout the week, but the crowd was significantly larger yesterday (August 5).
Demonstrators set fire to the streets in protest of the treatment they have been receiving surrounding the COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine impositions.
One protestor was also injured and taken to the hospital.
Liz Myke
Reporter
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