Road Town protest draws low turnout
Despite daily criticism directed at elected leaders on news sites and social media platforms, only a handful of residents turned out for a planned protest against the government, held in Road Town on June 2.
The protest was organised by businessman Floyd ‘Heritage’ Burnett, who urged the public to voice their frustrations over issues including water shortages, the high cost of living, poor infrastructure, and the absence of a national energy plan.
Although these concerns are widely shared throughout the community, fewer than 20 residents showed up with placards in the Road Town square to express dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the territory’s affairs.
While small in number, the protestors were confident, vocal, and resolute in their stance that urgent change is needed to address the territory’s long-standing challenges.
They stood for about two hours in the hot sun, outlining their concerns and calling on the 13 elected leaders to take action. Protestors said they were not discouraged by the low turnout, noting that fear of victimisation keeps many from speaking out publicly.
“Victimisation is real, and when you associate with certain parties there are certain things you can’t do,” one protestor said.
Aaron Parillon, who has launched his campaign to become District 3 representative in the next general election, also attended the protest, advocating on behalf of his community.
Though attendance was limited, Parillon said he believes the protest served its purpose, with the message reaching a wider audience through media coverage.
“The message is being sent to the listening and visual audience that we can no longer sustain the way we are living. If it doesn’t happen today, the message will be sent in 2027 that change is needed. We need a generation of leaders who want to fight for the people,” Parillon said.
BVI News observed that many members of the public followed the protest online. JTV News’ live feed garnered approximately 21,000 views by the end of the day, while Tola Radio’s stream drew around 6,000 viewers.
Still, the group of protestors remained small throughout the event.
Burnett, the organiser, pointed out that no elected official attended the demonstration.
“When you look around and realise that none of the 13 people you elected showed up, you realize they have shown us who they are. Give the young generation a chance!” Burnett said, raising his placard. “What do we really want as a people? A lot of people didn’t bathe last night, some can’t buy groceries. When are we going to be serious?”
As of publication time, the administration led by Premier Natalio Wheatley has not issued a response to the protest.
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The fear of victimisation and vindictiveness is very real in the BVI. The anonymity of 99% of those leaving comments on news sites bears this out.
That is EXACTLY CORRECT. 21,000 on JTV plus 6,000 on Tola Radio speaks volumes when combined with the tag lines used when commenting. We’ve already seen people get fired when they speak out. We know the stories about children not getting scholarship or grants because their parents were vocal. People can’t take the chance to show up and be recorded because even if no members of the HOA showed up they’ll know and there goes that contract or anything else in your favor. We know these things to be true, we’ve lived this way from the year dot.
I would like to know who give these clowns a permit to parade through the central capital on a Monday morning at 9 am. Whoever did that should be fired!
Imagine the traffic jams on all roads leading into town during rush hour. Just for FOUR clowns to parade through the center of the town. We have issues yes, but why make them worse with bad decisions like this.
Ha, ha, ha, ha
People living in fear of retribution. That is what happens when you have Dictator style Government of SECRETS.
When Cyndi laid the foundation of protest against the government, she was heckled and called crazy, it was something that should have been celebrated and make her a lioness. Now that foundation that she built is been traversed upon by others who see the need to tell the corrupt politicians they must leave our offices. I commend heritage who may one day serve in the HOA along side Cyndi.
Is that Pearline who Heritage shame up on the radio yesterday? She like to be in things. Let her take that! LOL set of clowns.
I applaud all those who took to the streets to protest what so many complain about on these blogs.
I personally don’t care about the size of this group of courageous individuals who showed up. It’s not the size of the crowd that matters most, but what they were protesting.
Who is not in favor of price controls, continuous flowing water, good healthcare, and improved electricity?
Many of you folks complain about those things day in day out on these blogs. Many of you complain about food prices being too high, rent too high, among other complaints, yet you have not put your feet where your mouth is.
Those who stayed away should know that they were out there fighting for all of us. Whether you dislike the leaders of this march or not, the fact is they did more than those who complain about everything under the sun on these blogs about the government.
While victimization is real for some, I think it’s just an excuse for some. If you really shared the same concerns as that group, if possible you should have joined them despite whatever victimization you believed may come your way. Showing up despite perceived risk would have demonstrated your courage.
I’m not surprise that many of you stayed away. I expected that. Why? Many of you come on these blogs complaining about the government, but you don’t have the testicular or ovarian fortitude to stand on business.
That’s why I pay very little attention to those who complain about the government online in in hushed whispers. You have no courage beyond your words. You are just key board warriors.
You talk but take no action because you lack courage and conviction. You are mere key board warriors of the blogs who like to talk tough. You bark loudly like chihuahuas but have no bite when it comes to action. You throw rocks and hide your hands.
So don’t come on here complaining about the government next time. Half of you don’t even bother to show up to the polls anyway because you are too lazy and delusional to think that not voting your interests is somehow going to benefit you or things would change the way you want to see it.
You are in a perpetual mental state of victimization to the point you fail to act. You would rather lay down and die than speak your truth. Cowardice if you ask me.
Keep your complaints to yourself. You don’t deserve any benefit from the hard work of others who have done the heavy lifting.
You are satisfied with the status quo and you have become constant complainers. Show some courage next time Stand on business, or stop complaining. Stop crying wolf. Be silent, and remain the wimps that you are.
This is why things never change. People would rather get on Facebook to bawl and complain as if ‘LIKES’ and ‘REACTIONS’ will make a difference. I’m neither here nor there on Heritage, but at least something is being done, rather than virtue signalling on social media, as if that would make a difference.
That’s why the leaders are COMFORTABLE where they are because they know their constituents are all talk!
These issues highlighted by unstable Heritage are blown out of proportion to make the Sowande government look bad. Only the minority of our residence experince water woes from time to time. Most of our people have electricity, water, internet access, education access, government services access and other things that represent a good quality of life.Things need improving yes, but we need to stop exaggerating things.
Sowande’s government is increasing the minimum wage. His government has increase gov workers pay.The roads are being dealth with, he is fighting for more independence, he is fighting for the people.
ayo need to stop studying heritage and his foolishness. Heritage just looking attention to keep his tola radio listenship and viewership a lil relevant.
Why should any of the 13 come out to give an audience to this goofball? I wasn’t coming either. This disrespectful little boy can’t lead a thirsty horse to a trough of water.
Did you have water today to take a decent bath or did you have to use baby wipes to call your behind?
All who commenting that it was a good protest but did not show up; what are your reasons for not being there? Easy to say others should have came out…were you there..?
Assuming you are correct relative to Heritage, your calling him a “disrespectful little boy” and a “goofball” is equally disrespectful as you are calling him out of his name with derogatory words. We are not goin to get anywhere disrespecting each other, and that goes for both sides.
Floyd Bennett jacka** go sit down u look like a beach bum jacka** go sit down