St Kitts opposition takes to the streets over boundary changes

The event was the culmination of several months of resistance to the efforts by Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas to have the changes approved. (File photo)

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, November 27, 2009 – The leadership, members and supports of the St Kitts and Nevis opposition People’s Action Movement (PAM) took to the streets of the capital yesterday to demonstrate efforts by the government to push changes to constituency boundaries on the eve of the country’s next general election.

The event was the culmination of several months of resistance to the efforts by Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas to have the changes approved.

PAM said that after weeks of legal trials, public meetings and radio broadcasts exhaustively addressing the issue, a peaceful protest was the logical next step.

The march attracted just over 1,000 participants who made their way along the main thoroughfare in Basseterre, singing, ringing bells and waving placards with messages to the Prime Minister to “ring the bell” and “leave the boundaries alone.”

“I am satisfied with the march and rally and the clear message it has sent  to Prime Minister Denzil Douglas and his Labour party,” said PAM’s Deputy Political Leader Shawn Richards.

Elections are constitutionally due in St Kitts and Nevis in another four months – by March 2010.