Rousing speeches for PMC launch

by Jamila Soso-Vincent 08.AUG.08

Despite the tardy start and notable absence of a key-speaker, the People’s Movement for Change (PMC) showed that it means business. No water could out its flame as the movement was launched, with one rousing speech after the other, at the Peace Memorial Hall last Thursday, July 31st.{{more}}

Described by lawyer Jomo Thomas as a “…socio-political movement”, the PMC aims to address the needs of the people “without the rivalry and persecution that politics too often brings”. This is reflected in their motto – ‘Country above self; people before Politics’. In his address, Thomas lamented the fact that, currently, none of the political parties have done any real work at reaching out to the people. He was adamant that the well-being of all Vincentians is of central focus and that the movement is committed to raising “…critical consciousness”.

Thomas told the gathering of about two hundred of the movement’s decision to not yet be a political party, but did not dismiss the possibility of becoming one in the future. Moreover, he promised his audience that the PMC would always be a tribune for the people and reminded them that for any forum to be successful, it must be “…open and honest”. He added that in order to achieve this, the forum must be one of “…accountability and transparency”.

Highlighting the PMC’s ‘targets for change’, Thomas made mention of the movement’s first target – to get the nation to set a national agenda, which would begin the process of togetherness, and aims to achieve this by the 30th Independence anniversary in 2009. He also spoke of another target that every person should set for themselves: telling the truth. “We have to start telling the truth to ourselves… and not just to others!” he insisted.

In his remarks, panel member Oscar Allen drove home the need for the PMC to begin as a movement and not a political party. Allen expressed his concern over the growing divide between supporters of the ULP, NDP and, to a lesser degree, the Green Party. “… we are not contending for power. We are contending for change,” he declared. He also questioned how a nation is expected to rise if there are so many petty divisions.

According to Allen, the nation has fallen into a mode of believing that the Government must always be the body to fix the ills of the nation. He reminded the audience that there is only so much the Government can do, and that the PMC promotes people uniting to tackle problems that affect us all instead of sitting back on our haunches and allowing issues to worsen.

Panel member Marlon Stephenson spoke of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ founding fathers and other noted figures who have made a significant contribution to the progress of SVG. He lauded ‘trailblazers’ such as Dr. Ian E. A Kirby, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Sir James Mitchell, Nelcia Robinson, Renwick Rose, Dr. Adrian Saunders, Gloria Ballantyne, P. H Veira and Pamenos Ballantyne, amongst others.

There were performances by the Urban Expression Dance Group and Calypsonians ‘Sulle’ and ‘Ipa’.

The PMC’s launch may have revived a sense of community in many, but despite talking a good game, it is left to be seen what action will really take place.