Introduction
Some of the events highlighted in this period were related to the impact of Hurricane Beryl in early July 2024. Hurricane Beryl led to the death of at least seven people and widespread damage, particularly affecting southern coastal areas. The hurricane severely impacted telecommunications, infrastructure, housing, public buildings and healthcare facilities. Electricity restoration has been challenging, with local companies indicating that 60 per cent of customers initially lost power, and full restoration could take up to eight weeks for the most affected areas.
Peaceful Assembly
Residents stage roadblocks, pressuring Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to restore electricity post-hurricane
On 22nd July 2024, residents of the parishes of St. Mary and Portland blocked several main roads with fallen trees in protest over the lack of electricity. Roads in Annotto Bay in St. Mary and Windsor Castle in Portland were partially cleared by police and military, allowing single-lane traffic. On 9th August 2024, residents of Fullerswood, located in the southwestern region of St Elizabeth, blocked the main road with trees, stones and other debris. The protest followed an advisory issued by JPS, which outlined a projected timeline for the restoration of electricity to communities severely impacted by Hurricane Beryl.
These protesters were part of a larger wave of protests across Jamaica, with residents expressing frustration at the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) company for its slow response in restoring electricity following the damage caused by Hurricane Beryl (see introduction).
In response to the protests, Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport—Daryl Vaz—urged residents to end the protests. He suggested that such demonstrations discourage JPS workers from entering affected areas to carry out repairs. Minister Vaz also assured the public that power restoration was ongoing and said that the worst-affected areas were expected to be fully restored by August 2024, in time for Jamaica’s Independence and Emancipation celebrations.
This deadline was also not met, which prompted further protests in St. Elizabeth and South Manchester. On 8th August, residents also complained about receiving electricity bills despite having no power for five weeks and using backup generators.
Taxi operators strike
On 10th June 2024, dozens of cab drivers in Montego Bay, Spanish Town, downtown Kingston and Portland stopped servicing their usual routes in protest at the demerit point system and the imprisonment of a fellow driver who helped organise the strike. The strike was driven by frustration over Jamaica’s Island Traffic Authority’s decision to suspend the licences of public transport companies with 10 demerit points for traffic offences.
The strike disrupted the country’s transportation system for several days in June. President of the Jamaica Teachers Association, Leighton Johnson, said the withdrawal of services affected dozens of students and teachers, including those sitting the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
President of Transport Operators Development Sustainable Services (TODSS), Egerton Newman, said that the majority of operators opposed the strike action. However, taxi operators in downtown Kingston were divided over the decision to withdraw their services on Monday, 10th June 2024, with about equal numbers parked and operating.
There were reports of some verbal altercations between operators who opted to keep operating and those who had stopped their services. There were also altercations between the taxi operators and the police.
A similar protest occurred on 17th September 2024, when taxi operators on the Lawrence Tavern route in Kingston withdrew their services, citing poor road conditions. They blocked sections of the Cassava River main road, asserting that the deteriorated roads have significantly raised vehicle maintenance costs.
Pro-Palestine protest
On 18th May 2024, Pro-Palestinian activists marched in Half-Way-Tree in St. Andrew, Jamaica. According to Chairman and First Secretary of Jamaica Lands, Christophe Simpson, the protest was held to demand that the Jamaican government cut its ties with Israel and denounce the ongoing violence in Gaza. In April 2024, the Jamaican government voted to recognise and support the State of Palestine’s entry into the UN but activists say there is more that needs to be done.
Botanical Gardens staff strike
On 24th September 2024, staff at the Hope Botanical Gardens in St. Andrew locked the gates in protest at wage cuts and what they consider to be management’s lack of regard for workers’ rights. This led to the suspension of services at the attraction. According to the Senior Visitor Service Officer, Jose Solan, staff were required to work longer hours since the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that some employees also received wage cuts. Despite intervention by the Ministry of Labour, management and staff have failed to agree due to the workers’ demand for union involvement in the process. They are also seeking that their previous wages be reinstated.