Maverley scores goal for peace

"Let there be peace in North West St Andrew and let it begin with us," Yevonne, a diehard supporter of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), declared yesterday as young men from Maverley started an unusual football game on Doraine Avenue in the community.

Some of the young men were dressed in green T-shirts bearing the image of Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) leader Andrew Holness and orange shirts with the image of People's National Party (PNP) President Portia Simpson Miller.

Others wore the shirts of the two men expected to contest the seat in the December 29 election, Derrick Smith (JLP) and Granville Valentine (PNP).

"Maverley not in any war again. A unity we a deal wid. If a PNP, a PNP, and if a Labourite, a Labourite, but no war this election," Yevonne said as she cheered a shot on goal by the green-clad team.

Peace all the way

"This is peacetime and politics nah change it. This is why we keep this football match. Peace is in the area," said Debbie, a PNP supporter.

The two women hugged as they supported their respective teams in a match which ended one-nil in favour of the PNP team. Labourites quipped that the Comrades should hold on to the win because it was the only 'seat' they would get this political season.

Maverley has been a hotbed of political violence in the past with supporters of the two major political parties living just a stone's throw away from each other, but this time around, the residents are saying to the rest of North West St Andrew and Jamaica, "Let us elect our parliamentary representatives in peace."

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com