Protests in Antigua and Barbuda over COVID-19 vaccine Mandatory on the 8th August
The group noted that a response was received on Friday, but only after a member called the commissioner’s office.
“It is apparent that his late response was a calculated and deliberate act by the Police Commissioner since he knew that his decision can be appealed to the Minister responsible for the Police and even reviewed by the High Court of Justice.
“The denial for the permit at this late hour made it all but impossible to peruse the appeal process since the March was scheduled for August 8, 2021,” the statement added.
In the aftermath of the protest, the police said one person was detained.
Meanwhile, in an article published online by Antigua Newsroom, political commentator Arvel Grant warned about the emerging trend in the Caribbean where opposition parties and anti-vaxxers are staging demonstrations urging people against taking the vaccine.
According to Grant – politicians, union leaders and media activists should use the apparent, attempted assassination of Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines as a harsh reminder that “they have the right to lawful speech, not freedom to inspire criminal violence. Indeed, some may well argue that certain leaders of the anti-vaccination campaign should examine the palm of their hands, for blood stains from this murderous attempt, to assassinate the dean of Caribbean Prime Ministers.”
“And why was this savage attack performed against the life of Prime Minister Gonsalves? Perhaps, because he is leading the effort to have (at least) frontline workers vaccinated against the COVID virus in his country. A pandemic condition that is killing millions of people worldwide, including, in St Vincent, The Grenadines and the rest of the Caribbean.”
He added that many of those leading or inspiring the anti-vaccination campaign might be fully vaccinated and protected against serious illness and death from COVID or its family of diseases.
Grant also called on Caribbean leaders to “double-down on efforts to save our civilization from this dangerous and deadly COVID virus.”
Elizabeth Swan
Senior Staff Reporter
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