Rising crime, increased cost of living, and “alleged government corruption” brought Antiguans to the streets in a “Soul of the Nation” march.
“It’s just a demonstration into what is happening in Antigua and Barbuda that a percentage of people are fed up with the actions of the prime minister and his cabinet,” organizer Zeezee Thomas told the Observer.
“The cleaners for the government office are making $165 a week. What can you do with that with the high cost of living?” said Thomas. Meanwhile, Antiguans and Barbudans are paying a foreign law firm US$900 to represent Prime Minister Gaston Brown and his cronies over the Alfa Nero sale.
“You can’t go shop now and buy one little paper bag of cheese or butter; you have to buy the whole tin or do without.”
Jamale Pringle, leader of the United Progressive Party opposition, attended the event. “I think it was a good march. I believe that the people continue to show that they are fed up with the government and how they are governing the state,” Pringle said, according to the Observer.
He said it was important because citizens “are still out there willing to stand up without the fear of victimisation or the fear of any form of consequences imposed by the government.”
