Opposition Leader Edward Seaga, makes his way through a throng of party supporters who turned out to support the Jamaica Labour Party's protest against the Government's decision to sign an agreement for a Caribbean Court of Justice. - Junior DowieHUNDREDS OF Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters, bussed into the Half-Way Tree Square from as early as 8:00 a.m., protested against the Jamaican government's signing of the agreement to establish the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for about three and half hours yesterday.
Most of them from the Corporate Area, clad in traditional green colours of the party, rang bells, waved placards and noisily denounced the government's plans.
Party leader Edward Seaga who turned up sometime after the protest started repeated much of his criticisms aired in a televised broadcast on Tuesday night.
"Only the Privy Council can give us justice," said Mr. Seaga. He charged that the government was rushing to sign the agreement while ignoring the voice of the people.
Olivia "Babsy" Grange, one of the party's deputy leaders, described the protest as a success and stressed that it was the first in a series. Neither she nor Delroy Chuck, Member of Parliament for North East St. Andrew, would say where the other protests would take place.
"We are mindful of the impact and devastation of the April 1999 demonstration. It was a wake-up call for the Government. The country is on the edge. Therefore, there is a necessity for us to gauge and manage the protests carefully," Miss Grange said.
She added that the party was putting its energy into the North East St. Ann by-elections where it will be launching its campaign on Saturday.
Up to 1:00 p.m. the police said there were no reports of any incidents.
The demonstration created a traffic jam in the square and surrounding areas and a strong police contingent headed by Assistant Commissioner Linden Bell and Senior Superintendent Hector "Bingie" White had their hands full manning the flow of traffic and the protestors.
