Paul Burke (left), People's National Party Region Three chairman, Desmond McKenzie (centre) Jamaica Labour Party Councillor and PNP caretaker for West Kingston, Joseph Witter (3rd right) talking with residents of Fletcher's Land yesterday about a mass peace meeting and plans to clear roadblocks mounted by residents. The occasion was a tour of the community by members of the Peace Management Initiative (PMI). - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer A MASS meeting between rival factions from several inner-city communities in the Corporate Area is scheduled for Saturday at the old service station at the intersection of Orange and King streets, West Kingston.
"Residents of Allman Town, Craig Town, Fletchers Lane, Orange Villa, and Hannah Town have been invited to this meeting," according to Paul Burke, head of the People's National Party's Region Three Kingston and St. Andrew.
During yesterday's discussions between rivals communities, some of the conflicts were categorised as "internal", others said to be centred on politics, as well as reprisals, vendettas or based on long-time feuds.
Rival factions are expected to "spill their guts" and talk over their differences at Saturday's meeting, with a view to bringing an end to the violence that has been plaguing several downtown inner-city communities for weeks.
Fletchers Land is a community gripped by political violence since Nomination Day. On Tuesday, two men were shot and injured there; a week ago Romeo Lawrence, 12, a student of Calabar Junior High, East Queen Street, was killed by gunmen while having his hair cut in a barber shop.
Yesterday, Bishop Herro Blair, chairman of the Peace Management Initiative, along with Councillor Desmond McKenzie, who was nominated to the Senate by the JLP on Tuesday, Joseph "Bunny" Witter, the PNP's caretaker for West Kingston, Luther "Yatt" Nunes of Hannah Town, and other persons, toured sections of Fletcher's Land.
Fearful residents came out in droves to relate their "frightening experiences". Some complained about harassment by the police. They said that youth in the community were being targeted by gunmen from neighbouring communities.
"We want everybody to come together and talk, then return and clean up their communities," Mr. McKenzie said.
The streets of most of these communities are blocked with debris, some for months. Each time the heaps of debris are cleared, residents replace them. They claim that they are protecting their communities from drive-by shootings.
