The leader of Jamaica’s third registered political party, the United Independents’ Congress (UIC), and several of his supporters were arrested on Wednesday, September 22, after they staged a protest against mandatory vaccination and other national issues.
A warning from the police high command on Tuesday that a march organized by the UIC would be illegal, fell, on deaf ears. Leader of the UIC, Joseph Patterson and his supporters, masked and unmasked alike, clashed with members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, (JCF) in Downtown Kingston as they demanded freedom of speech, freedom of choice, and freedom of movement.
Patterson was subsequently arrested for non-compliance with the provisions under the Public Order Act which stipulates that individuals organizing a public march must get a permit from the police. But before Patterson’s arrest, the UIC leader said he did not need authorization to march.
The protest was also in breach of the Disaster Risk Management Act, (DRMA) which prohibits public gatherings of more than 10 people.
Despite some persons in attendance speaking out against vaccines, Patterson maintained that the UIC is neither anti-vax nor pro-vax; but rather pro-choice. According to Patterson, the Government should consider a more culturally relevant approach to protecting citizens.
The UIC members had also planned to march to Gordon House to demand the resignation of all 63 Members of Parliament, however, barricades prevented that from happening.
More in this CVM Live story from Aladden Love:
