PM’s response is blatant attack on Garifuna – Opposition Leader
News
June 5, 2015

PM’s response is blatant attack on Garifuna – Opposition Leader

The New Democratic Party (NDP) has described the response of Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves to the promise of honorary citizenship to all Garifuna by Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace as ‘scaremongering’ and a ‘blatant attack’ on the Garifuna.{{more}}

In a release issued on Wednesday, the NDP said it condemns Gonsalves’ response and adds its voice “to the loud outcry by Vincentians across the country who reject in disgust the Prime Minister’s assault on the Garifuna nation. To say that the Garifuna will take away jobs and homes from Vincentians is utter rubbish.”

Gonsalves, at a press conference on Tuesday, questioned what were the terms of the offer of honorary citizenship and whether Garifuna would be coming to St Vincent for jobs and houses.

The NDP said the history and heritage of St Vincent and the Grenadines and the Garifuna are one.

“… it redounds to the benefit of us as a people to embrace our Garifuna brothers and sisters. Rather than seeing loss of jobs and property, we see just the opposite. We see positive benefits to the economy of St Vincent and the Grenadines both in Tourism and private sector investment, as our relationship with the Garifuna deepens.”