🇻🇨 Unrest in St. Vincent - Prime Minister injured during 8/5/21 protest against proposed COVID-19 vaccine measures, alleged financial mismanagement near Parliament
Will COVID-19 vaccines become mandatory in the island nation?
A 10,000 mile view of today's events:
Who is involved:
1) Hundreds of opposition party New Democratic Party (NDP) supporters and trade-based public sector workers (education, nursing)
2.) Ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) led by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who has held office since 2001.
What happened: A protest against proposed COVID-19 vaccine measures (more specifically, a planned amendment of the country's Public Health Act) and alleged financial misconduct by the ULP descended into violence. PM Ralph Gonsalves today sustained a head injury as his convoy approached the gathering near Parliament in Kingstown, the nation's capital. He was struck by a projectile thrown during the demonstration.
When: August 5th, 2021, in the late afternoon - early evening (5 -7 pm, during rush hour commute)
Why: Protesters claim the proposed Public Health Act amendment may cause certain frontline workers to lose, or be unable to secure, employment if unvaccinated. PM denies that vaccines will be mandatory and stated unvaccinated workers will not be penalized. Also, there are claims that $95 million Eastern Caribbean Dollars (XCD) (roughly $35 million USD) in government funds was not accounted for from 2010-2015; government states no such financial discrepancy exists.
Where: Near House of Assembly government building, Kingstown (capital city)
I could not help but investigate this latest case of physical violence against a Caribbean head of state. It occurred soon after the recent assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, which raises possible questions about the leaders' security details at the very least. Settling political disputes through violence is unacceptable! I will not compare these two violent acts, as 1.) I do not think it is fair to compare atrocities and 2.) one was life-ending and the other, while serious, was not. Generally, head injuries may cause chronic symptoms, so it is too soon to know if today's incident will cause the PM further health issues.
Was violence anticipated during today's protest? How was the PM guarded today versus other days if the protest was announced days in advance according to at least one source? From what I understand, most anti-government protests on the island have typically been peaceful. This event is highly unusual due to its size, violence and the injury of a high ranking leader likely to have the tightest security in the nation.
These developments, however, are notable, given that there have been little to no reports of direct violence against the region's leaders in the past several years. In fact, one of the only other well-known instances of assault on a Caribbean leader I could find occurred in 1990 when A.N.R. Robinson, the then-Prime Minister of Trinidad, was beaten during an attempted coup d'etat.
If incidents like this persist, will it cause a pattern of assault against leaders? How can governments connect with citizens to alleviate tensions ahead of controversial decisions like the one leading to today's protest? Is government outreach taking place on all corners of the island, especially rural and/or vulnerable communities to communicate their message and *fully* understand citizens' concerns?
This incident also sheds light on many governments' calls, and in some cases in the United States, incentives, to vaccinate citizens. This is a difficult and divisive issue, but I think some consensus could be reached if perhaps they consider the following: It will be difficult to vaccinate 100% of any society. Regardless of strong vaccination efforts, certain members of people may not wish to vaccinate due to religious and/or personal beliefs. To curb the spread of the virus, I do think it would be sensible to require both unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals to complete weekly or random no-cost COVID-19 tests.
Finding a solution to this complex issue, will, unfortunately, not work as a one-size-fits-all. Actions based on absolutes often fail because they don't accommodate nuances. Public health mandates emboldened with multiple layers of virus prevention including mask and social distancing guidelines for both the vaccinated and unvaccinated, hand hygiene focus, reduction of non-essential congregate events as well as social support for those afflicted with COVID-19 will be the most effective, compared to those focused on just a few virus-curbing practices.
UPDATE 8/6/21: The NDP opposition party condemned the violence and injury to the PM, see below:
STATEMENT CONCERNING INJURIES AT THE PROTEST ACTION IN KINGSTOWN
— New Democratic Party (@NDPSVG) August 6, 2021
Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines: At the protest action in Kingstown on 5th August 2021, Prime Minister Dr the Hon Ralph Gonsalves and several other persons were injured. pic.twitter.com/DTORquNFCU
Country analysis:
Short-term (0-6 months): Opposition protests may continue in and around government buildings in Kingstown. In light of the recent Soufriere volcano explosion that damaged a significant amount of crops and displaced thousands, protests/grievances could possibly assume a more economic dimension as the already-battered tourism and agriculture-based national economy deals with sluggish growth this year and economic contraction in 2020. That year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued a $16 million USD grant to assist with COVID-19-related economic losses; however, the effects of the 2021 volcanic explosion have further exacerbated the financial issues for which the IMF funds were designated. The international community contributed funds for volcano relief and recovery efforts are understandably difficult. Heightened dissatisfaction with economic issues could lead to increasing demands for the PM to resign, as he has been in power for 20 years. Are citizens growing frustrated with such long-term rule?
Coupled with a sharp drop in tourism, foreign investment and remittances from the St. Vincentian community living/working abroad due to the pandemic, the resulting social and economic issues as well as any perceived barriers to job access (like the cause of today's issues) will cause further tensions among the general population. The government may also restrict public assemblies near state buildings for the time being due to the high tensions resulting in violence today. Internationally, we may see more of these kinds of violent protests surrounding vaccine mandates.
NOTE - I tried to use as many local sources possible. Also, I hope this post came across as objective on the vaccine issue. I will not advocate for or against vaccines on this blog, as I am not qualified to do so.
Receipts: https://onenewsstvincent.com/2021/08/05/head-injury-pm-gonsalves-to-remain-at-hospital-overnight/ (Local Source)
https://news784.com/2021/08/05/protests-turned-violent-in-st-vincent-road-blocked-by-fires/
https://www.iwnsvg.com/2021/08/03/former-ulp-diplomat-calls-on-govt-to-quit-video/
https://www.iwnsvg.com/2021/08/03/there-is-no-missing-money-camillo/
https://news784.com/2021/08/05/protests-turned-violent-in-st-vincent-road-blocked-by-fires/
https://www.imf.org/~/media/Files/Publications/CR/2020/English/1VCTEA2020001.ashx
Comments
Post a Comment