Another small protest at Grenadines Terminal

A small but spirited protest broke out at the Kingstown Ferry Terminal following the New Democratic Party’s (NDP) protest march in Kingstown last Friday.{{more}}

Passengers from Layou, Barrouallie and Chateaubelair who came to Kingstown on the MV Jaden T for the march expressed their displeasure at being charged the one-dollar fee as they attempted to pass through the terminal to board the boat for the journey home.

Black clad officers from the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) were brought in and stationed at the entrance to the terminal, while other senior officers from both the port and the regular police were on hand.

Northern Grenadines Representative Godwin Friday also protested along with NDP’s caretaker for the North Leeward constituency Roland “Patel” Matthews who told SEARCHLIGHT that up until last Sunday, the user fee was illegal. “If it was up to me I would have docked the boat at Bottom Town an lemme see what they woulda do,” he angrily stated.

Station Sergeant Trevor “Buju” Bailey of the police force cajoled persons to cooperate, sometimes even using humour to diffuse many tense moments.

At around 3:55 p.m., a squad of about ten uniformed police officers with long batons arrived on the scene but they were sent into the Cruise Ship Terminal compound by Superintendent Michael Charles. Charles told SEARCHLIGHT that the officers arrival was based on information they received that there was a riot at the Ferry Terminal, “but as you can see the situation is under control,” he further stated.

Most of the passengers paid the fee after making their objections known, however, many turned away from the terminal stating that they’d rather pay a van $5 than the one dollar charge. (AC)